What prevents the pressure from increasing as a cloud contracts due to its gravity?
A) As the cloud becomes denser, gravity becomes stronger and overcomes the pressure buildup.
B) The pressure is transferred from the center of the cloud to its outer edges where it can dissipate.
C) Thermal energy is converted to radiative energy via molecular collisions and released as photons.
D) Excess pressure is released in jets of material from the young stars.
E) Once the cloud reaches a critical density, the pressure becomes degenerate and independent of temperature.
Answer: C