What type of galaxy would likely form from a protogalactic cloud with a lot of angular momentum?

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Study for the University of Central Florida AST2002 Astronomy Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your final!

A protogalactic cloud with a lot of angular momentum is likely to form a spiral galaxy due to the way angular momentum influences the cloud’s rotation and structural evolution. When a protogalactic cloud collapses under gravity, the conservation of angular momentum causes it to flatten into a rotating disk. In this disk, matter can cool and condense, leading to the formation of stars and the distinct spiral arms characteristic of spiral galaxies.

The presence of angular momentum promotes the organized rotation necessary for the formation of a spiral structure, allowing the galaxy to maintain this orderly configuration over time. This results in well-defined features such as spiral arms that are rich with young stars, gas, and dust, and a central bulge often comprising older stars.

In contrast, other galaxy types such as elliptical galaxies, which are often formed from merging or interactions of existing galaxies, do not exhibit the same ordered rotation and disk structure due to a different formation process. A galaxy with low angular momentum would likely evolve into an elliptical shape as the collapse lacks the necessary rotational dynamics to maintain a disk formation. Thus, the presence of high angular momentum is crucial for the development of a spiral galaxy.