What mechanism allows matter to spiral inward toward the central object within an astrophysical accretion disk?
Answer
Magnetic fields and viscous forces transferring angular momentum outward
The disk functions as a complex hydrodynamic system where magnetic fields and viscous forces act to transfer angular momentum to the outer regions, allowing the inner matter to lose momentum and move closer to the central body.
Related Questions
What is the primary driver distinguishing cosmic accretion from terrestrial forms of accumulation?What physical principle causes infalling material around a protostar to flatten into a rotating structure?What term describes the observational signature of vigorous accretion onto a supermassive black hole at a galactic center?Why are accretion disks around neutron stars or black holes significantly hotter than those around protostars?In the context of plate tectonics, what is the term for the mass of material piled up onto the overriding plate during subduction?What mechanism allows matter to spiral inward toward the central object within an astrophysical accretion disk?What geological example illustrates accretion as a reciprocal process to erosion along a river channel?Compared to nuclear fusion, how efficient is the energy conversion process during accretion onto compact stellar remnants?What specific type of object is cited as an example of intense gravitational accretion occurring in a binary system?What is the fundamental, universal prerequisite for accretion to occur, regardless of scale?