Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a nebula?
What is a nebula?
What temperature does a protostar reach?
What temperature does a protostar reach?
What occurs once a star becomes a red giant?
What occurs once a star becomes a red giant?
What happens to a star after it becomes a white dwarf?
What happens to a star after it becomes a white dwarf?
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What is a supernova?
What is a supernova?
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What forms after a supernova if the core is 3 times greater than the sun?
What forms after a supernova if the core is 3 times greater than the sun?
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A low mass star will ultimately end its life as a __________.
A low mass star will ultimately end its life as a __________.
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A high mass star will ultimately end its life as a __________.
A high mass star will ultimately end its life as a __________.
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Match the stages in the life cycle of a low mass star.
Match the stages in the life cycle of a low mass star.
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Match the stages in the life cycle of a high mass star.
Match the stages in the life cycle of a high mass star.
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Study Notes
Life Cycle of a Star
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Nebulae: Cold clouds of dust and gas primarily composed of hydrogen and helium; serve as the initial stage in stellar formation.
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Protostar: Formed when a nebula condenses under gravity, increasing density and temperature up to 100 million degrees Celsius.
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Main Sequence Star: Achieves stability at 100 million degrees, characterized by nuclear fusion in the core that fuses hydrogen into helium, maintaining balance against gravitational collapse.
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Red Giant: Occurs when hydrogen in the core is depleted; the core contracts, and helium fuses into carbon and oxygen. Outer layers burn remaining hydrogen; expansion occurs as energy production increases.
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Planetary Nebula & White Dwarf: The outer layers of a red giant shed, creating a colorful planetary nebula; the remaining core, heating from helium fusion, collapses into a white dwarf as energy sources diminish.
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Red Supergiant: Develops in high mass stars after all hydrogen is fused to helium. The fusion sequence continues: hydrogen to helium, helium to carbon/oxygen, then carbon/oxygen to iron in the core.
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Black Dwarf: Formed when a star has exhausted all helium; lack of energy causes it to cool and turn black, marking the end of a low mass star’s life.
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Supernova: Happens when core iron fusion leads to rapid core collapse, resulting in a tremendous explosion releasing more energy than the star produced during its lifetime.
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Neutron Star: Created from supernova remnants, consisting primarily of neutrons. A variant, the pulsar, emits radio waves and possesses strong magnetic fields.
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Black Hole: Formed if the neutron star's core is over three times the mass of the sun; encompasses an extremely dense region with gravity so strong that even light cannot escape.
Star Life Cycles
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Low Mass Star Life Cycle:
- Nebulae → Protostar → Main Sequence Star → Red Giant → Planetary Nebula & White Dwarf → Black Dwarf
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High Mass Star Life Cycle:
- Nebulae → Protostar → Main Sequence Star → Red Supergiant → Supernova → Neutron Star → Black Hole
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Description
Explore the fascinating stages in the life cycle of both low and high mass stars through this set of flashcards. From nebulae to main sequence stars, learn the definitions and key characteristics of each stage. Perfect for students of astronomy or anyone interested in the universe's stellar phenomena.
