Which of the Following Correctly Describes How the Process of Gravitational

question 18

Multiple Choice

Which of the following correctly describes how the process of gravitational contraction can make a star hot?

• A) When a star contracts in size, gravitational potential energy is converted to thermal energy.
• B) Gravitational contraction involves nuclear fusion, which generates a lot of heat.
• C) Heat is generated when gravity contracts because gravity is an inverse square law force.
• D) Gravitational contraction involves the generation of heat by chemical reactions, much like the burning of coal.

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Definitions:

Density of Water

The mass per unit volume of water, approximately 1 gram per cubic centimeter (1 g/cm³) at standard temperature and pressure.

Ice Melting

The physical process by which ice transitions to liquid water as it absorbs heat from its surroundings, typically occurring at 0 degrees Celsius under standard atmospheric pressure.

Density

The mass per unit volume of a substance, often used as an identifying property of various materials.

Mass

A measure of the amount of matter that an object contains; also a fundamental property of an object that determines its inertia and gravitational interaction.