Evolution of the Gas Density in a Simulated Star-forming Cloud with Stellar Feedback

Abstract

Star formation involves gravity, turbulence, magnetic fields, and feedback from new stars through jets, radiation and winds. The evolution of the density probability distribution function (ρ-PDF) is directly related to the star formation rate (SFR), forming the basis of several star formation models. We utilize two runs from the STARFORGE simulation suite that follow the evolution of molecular clouds, while resolving individual stars and including all gas and feedback physics. The two runs have different initial conditions, one is a periodic box with driven turbulence (Box), while the other is an isolated cloud without turbulent driving (Sphere). We find that the ρ-PDF for both runs is initially well-fit by a log-normal (LN) plus a power-law (PL) function. However, as the SFR peaks, the PDF for the Sphere run becomes well-fit by just a wide LN. Conversely, the Box run PDF remains well-fit by a LN+PL function for the entirety of the run.