Dimensional argument for the impact of turbulent support on the stellar initial mass function

Abstract

We present a simple dimensional argument to illustrate the impact of nonthermal support from turbulent velocity dispersion on the shape of the prestellar core mass function (CMF), precursor of the stellar initial mass function (IMF). The argument demonstrates the need to invoke such support to recover the Salpeter slope in the high-mass part of the CMF/IMF, whereas pure thermal support leads to a much steeper slope. This simple dimensional argument clearly highlights the results obtained in the complete Hennebelle-Chabrier theory of the IMF.