When a molecular cloud collapses to form a star, it “spins up” due to conservation of angular momentum. The angular momentum of a spherical system is given by:
L = (2 M R^2)/(5 T)
where M is the mass of the system, R is its radius, and T is its period of rotation (that is, how long it takes the object to turn around once completely). Currently, the sun rotates on its axis once every 30 days. What was the rotation of the cloud that originated the sun when its radius was 1 pc (parsec), assuming the angular momentum is conserved? If the sun collapsed into a neutron star, its radius (R) would shrink by a factor of 30,000, and its angular momentum would also remain the same. What would its new period of rotation be?
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Tags: Conservation Of Angular Momentum, Molecular Cloud, Radius —
