gravitational collapse concept from the Astronomy knowledge base

Astronomy View all facts Glossary Help

physical phenomena > process > physical process > motion > mass motion > contraction > collapse > gravitational collapse

Next collapse: spherical collapse Up: collapse Previous collapse: free-fall

gravitational collapse

subject fact

gravitational collapse has definition The sudden collapse of a massive star when the radiation pressure outward is no longer sufficient to balance the gravitational pressure inward. In gravitational collapse there is a sudden, catastrophic release of great quantities of gravitational potential energy, and this release has been postulated as the cause of supernovae, neutron stars, and black holes. has source: Hopkins, J. 1976 Glossary of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago Press, 2001-09-27 09:29:55.0
is a kind of collapse

physical process has domain physics 2001-09-27 09:29:38.0

Kinds of gravitational collapse :

supernova explosion

gravitational collapse	has definition The sudden collapse of a massive star when the radiation pressure outward is no longer sufficient to balance the gravitational pressure inward. In gravitational collapse there is a sudden, catastrophic release of great quantities of gravitational potential energy, and this release has been postulated as the cause of supernovae, neutron stars, and black holes.
gravitational collapse	is a kind of collapse
physical process	has domain physics