We investigate whether magnetic tension can define the masses of forming stars by holding up the subcritical envelope of a molecular cloud that suffers gravitational collapse of its supercritical core. We perform an equilibrium analysis of the initial and final states assuming perfect field freezing, no rotation, isothermality, and a completely flattened configuration. The sheet geometry allows us to separate the magnetic tension into a levitation associated with the split monopole formed by the trapped flux of the central star and a suspension associated with curved field lines that thread the static pseudodisk and envelope of material external to the star. We find solutions where the eigenvalue for the stellar mass is a fixed multiple of the initial core mass of the cloud. We verify the analytically derived result by an explicit numerical simulation of a closely related three-dimensional axisymmetric system. However, with field freezing, the implied surface magnetic fields much exceed measured values for young stars. If the pinch by the central split monopole were to be eliminated by magnetic reconnection, then magnetic suspension alone cannot keep the subcritical envelope (i.e., the entire model cloud) from falling onto the star. We argue that this answer has general validity, even if the initial state lacked any kind of symmetry, possessed rotation, and had a substantial level of turbulence. These findings strongly support a picture for the halt of infall that invokes dynamic levitation by YSO winds and jets, but the breakdown of ideal magnetohydrodynamics is required to allow the appearance in the problem of a rapidly rotating, centrifugally supported disk. We use these results to calculate the initial mass function and star formation efficiency for the distributed and clustered modes of star formation.

On relativity theory

Does Magnetic Levitation or Suspension Define the Masses of Forming Stars

The choice, nature, classification, and precision of determination of fundamental physical constants are described. The problem of temporal variations is also discussed. The need for further determination of absolute measurements ofG and time variations of the gravitational constant is pointed out.

Fundamental physical constants and their stability: A review

https://scholarworks.utep.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1350&context=cs_techrep

Kolmogorov Complexity and Chaotic Phenomena

Gravitation as a fundamental interaction that governs all phenomena at large and very small scales, but still not well understood at a quantum level, is a missing cardinal link to unification of all physical interactions. Problems of the absolute G measurements and its possible time and range variations are reflections of the unification problem. Integrable multidimensional models of gravitation and cosmology make up one of the proper approaches to study basic issues and strong field objects, the Early Universe and black hole physics in particular. The choice, nature, classification and precision of determination of fundamental physical constants are described. The problem of their temporal variations is also discussed, temporal and range variations of G in particular. A need for further absolute measurements of G, its possible range and time variations is pointed out. The novel multipurpose space project SEE, aimed for measuring G and its stability in space and time 3-4 orders better than at present, may answer many important questions posed by gravitation, cosmology and unified theories.

background or methods

Gravity as a Key Problem of the Millenium

Optically thin cooling gas at most temperatures above 30 K will make condensations by pressure, pushing material into cool, dense regions. This works without gravity. Cooling condensations will flatten and become planar/similarity solutions. Most star formation may start from cooling condensations, where gravity is only important in the later stages. The idea that some of the dark matter could be pristine white dwarfs that condensed slowly onto planetary-sized seeds without firing nuclear reactions is found lacking. However, recent observations indicate 50 times more halo white dwarfs than have previously been acknowledged, enough to make the halo fraction observed as MACHOs. A cosmological census shows that only 1% of the mass of the universe is of known constitution.

On relativity theory

Citations

Does Magnetic Levitation or Suspension Define the Masses of Forming Stars

Fundamental physical constants and their stability: A review

Kolmogorov Complexity and Chaotic Phenomena

Gravity as a Key Problem of the Millenium

Russell Lecture: Dark Star Formation and Cooling Instability

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