123k views
1 vote
Which of the following properties of a huge gas cloud will most directly affect the shape of a galaxy that ultimately forms from it?

A. The angular momentum of the cloud
B. The mass of the cloud
C. The temperature of the cloud
D. The composition of the cloud

User Waj
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The angular momentum of the gas cloud most directly influences the shape of the resulting galaxy, affecting its rotation and structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The property of a huge gas cloud that will most directly affect the shape of a galaxy that ultimately forms from it is A. The angular momentum of the cloud. Angular momentum determines how the cloud will rotate as it collapses under gravity, impacting the overall configuration and distribution of matter in the resulting galaxy. Both the shape and the rotation of galaxies are connected to the initial angular momentum of the gas clouds they formed from. Moreover, the way dark matter interacts with this momentum is also crucial in defining galaxy structures, as it constitutes a significant portion of the galaxy's mass and thus influences its gravitational pull.

User MadSkunk
by
7.9k points