The Evolution of the Protostellar Mass Distribution: A Coalescence-Accretion Scenario

Sami Dib

Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute

Using semi-analytical modelling, I will discuss the effects of coalescence, mass accretion and mass outflow onto protostellar cores in order to show how the initial protostellar mass distribution which results from the gravo-turbulent fragmentation of a turbulent molecular cloud is modified in different environments, particularly at the high mass end. I will aslo discuss aspects and conditions of the transition from the protostellar mass distribution to the initial stellar mass function.