What does "Mechanical Heating" mean?

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Mechanical heating refers to the process by which energy is added to a gas or other substance through physical forces. In space, this happens in areas where stars are forming or where gases are dense. When particles move quickly and collide with each other, they produce heat.

In galaxies, mechanical heating can come from various sources, including the activity of stars, supernovae, and the motions of gas clouds. This heating affects how the gas behaves and can influence processes like star formation.

Understanding mechanical heating helps scientists figure out the conditions in different galaxies. For example, if a galaxy has low mechanical heating, it may have different characteristics compared to one with high mechanical heating. This information is important for studying the life cycle of galaxies and the materials that make them up.