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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2017
An analytical, theoretical, time-dependent initial mass function is derived for the objects created in the fragmentation of a gravitationally unstable gas protocloud. The mass spectrum depends on the chemical-dynamical-radiative evolution of the protocloud and it peaks at a mass slightly greater than the minimum Jeans mass attained throughout the evolution. A fragmentation rate mass spectrum is also analytically derived.