Final answer:
Feedback assists star formation by expelling excess gas and dust, which enables regions within molecular clouds to collapse and form stars. The process of AGN feedback is essential in galactic evolution and affects star formation rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
One common way feedback assists star formation is by expelling excess gas and dust from the area of a new star. This process, often a result of the energy output from a new star or the explosive end of a massive star's life, can blow away surrounding material.
Clearing out the excess material allows regions within molecular clouds to collapse under their own gravity and form new stars more effectively. While some energetic events can disrupt star formation by breaking apart clouds, others can enhance the ability for the clouds to collapse into stars.
Moreover, active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback is a critical factor in the evolution of galaxies, influencing the rate of star formation.