An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 12.14

Main-Sequence and Post-Main-Sequence Stellar Evolution — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · free-fall-time

Problem

Assuming that the free-fall acceleration of the surface of a collapsing cloud remains constant during the entire collapse, derive an expression for the free-fall time. Show that your answer differs from Eq. (12.26) only by a term of order unity.

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