Definition of «gravitational compression»

Gravitational compression refers to the process by which matter is compressed or squeezed due to the force of gravity. This occurs when a massive object, such as a star or planet, exerts its gravitational pull on surrounding objects and causes them to be drawn closer together. The more mass an object has, the greater its gravitational pull will be, and therefore the more compression it can cause in nearby matter. Gravitational compression is responsible for many of the phenomena we observe in space, such as the formation of stars and planets, as well as the behavior of galaxies.

Sentences with «gravitational compression»

The increase in temperature as you go lower in the atmosphere comes from static gravitational compression of that atmosphere, as predicted by the ideal gas law itself. (notrickszone.com)
Eventually, gravitational compression again will cause the internal temperature until the hydrogen shell around the now inert core begins to fuse into helium, which settles into a middle layer. (solstation.com)
Accounting for gravitational compression, however, Mercury is the second densest after Earth, with 98 percent of its «mean» or compressed density (5.43 versus 5.52 gm / cm3, see NASA Planetary Factsheet). (solstation.com)
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