  We present combined single-dish and interferometric CS(2--1) and N2H+(1--0)
observations of a compact core in the NW region of the Serpens molecular cloud.
The core is starless according to observations from optical to millimeter
wavelengths and its lines have turbulent widths and ``infall asymmetry''. Line
profile modeling indicates supersonic inward motions v_in>0.34 km/s over an
extended region L>12000AU. The high infall speed and large extent exceeds the
predictions of most thermal ambipolar diffusion models and points to a more
dynamical process for core formation. A short (dynamic) timescale, ~1e5
yr=L/v_in, is also suggested by the low N2H+ abundance ~1e-10.

Astrophysics