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As an interstellar gas cloud shrinks in size, its gravitational potential energy:______
a) stays the same at all times.
b) gradually is transformed into other forms of energy.
c) gradually grows larger.

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sebasacevedop

Answer:

b) gradually is transformed into other forms of energy.

Explanation:

According to the virial theorem, the gravitational potential energy of the the gas cloud is converted into two forms of energy. The collapse provides enough kinetic energy to the particles for hydrogen fusion to occur. Due to the collisions between particles the cloud will heat up. The other part of the gravitational potential energy is released through radiation due to the nuclear fusion.