 Initial mass function

The initial mass function is the distribution of stellar birth masses. It records the mass scales selected by cloud fragmentation, accretion, feedback, and stellar multiplicity.

The Initial Mass Function (IMF) is a crucial concept in astrophysics that describes the distribution of masses for a population of stars when they form. It provides a statistical representation of how many stars are born within a certain mass range in a stellar population, essentially outlining the relationship between the number of stars and their masses at the time of formation.