As an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size, its temperature increases,
A) because gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy.
B) because kinetic energy is converted to radiative energy.
C) because thermal energy is converted to radiative energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When an interstellar cloud of hydrogen gas shrinks in size due to the gravity, the potential energy of the system is converted into kinetic energy, which further increases the temperature of the gas molecules, causing them to move faster. This increases the thermal energy, which eventually gets converted into radiative energy as the cloud heats up and emits radiation. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

As an Interstellar Cloud of Hydrogen Gas Shrinks in Size