What energy conversion is fundamental during the initial rapid gravitational collapse?

Answer

Gravitational potential energy converted into thermal energy

As the dense material falls inward due to overwhelming self-gravity, the gravitational potential energy of the system is transformed into kinetic energy, which is then converted into thermal energy through collisions and pressure waves.

What energy conversion is fundamental during the initial rapid gravitational collapse?
protostarstellar evolutionstar formationastrophysicscollapse