Suppose the Jeans length in a large interstellar cloud at a temperature of 20 K is 0.8 ly. If the cloud gradually heats up to 40 K while its density remains constant, what would happen to the Jeans length?
A)The Jeans length would decrease to 0.4 ly.
B)The Jeans length would increase to 1.6 ly.
C)The Jeans length would increase to 1.1 ly.
D)The Jeans length would decrease to 0.6 ly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Jeans length is proportional to the square root of the temperature. Doubling the temperature from 20 K to 40 K increases the Jeans length by a factor of √2, which is approximately 1.41. Therefore, the new Jeans length is 0.8 ly * 1.41 ≈ 1.1 ly.

Suppose the Jeans Length in a Large Interstellar Cloud at a Temperature