Star formation in molecular clouds and the initial mass function : A new model

Abstract

The observed mass spectra for stars and interstellar clouds are discussed. Stars are born from clouds, but their mass spectra are fundamentally different. A new model is proposed in which the Salpeter function representing the stellar mass spectrum is shown to result from the parent cloud mass spectrum. Stars form in the cores of the clumps in a cloud and grow by accretion. The accretion energy is deposited into the clump and disrupts it when the star has grown to a limiting mass. The limiting mass is derived. Combined with the observed clump mass spectrum, this leads to the Salpeter function for the stellar mass spectrum. Several other observed features of clouds and stars also follow.