Questions and Answers
How big are low-mass stars?
Any star up to about 8 times the mass of our sun.
What does a low-mass star do for most of its life?
It fuses hydrogen into helium as a main sequence star, slowly getting bigger and hotter.
What happens when a low-mass star runs out of hydrogen?
The core shrinks due to lack of heat to counteract gravity and the core starts to fuse helium into carbon and oxygen.
Once the low-mass star runs out of fuel, what happens?
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What is a planetary nebula?
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What does the star become once all the fuel has burned out?
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What is the life sequence of a low-mass star?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Low-Mass Stars
- Defined as stars with a mass up to approximately 8 times that of the Sun.
Main Sequence Phase
- For the majority of their lifespan, low-mass stars primarily fuse hydrogen into helium.
- During the main sequence phase, these stars gradually increase in size and temperature.
Transition to Red Giant
- After exhausting hydrogen fuel, the core contracts due to gravitational forces.
- The core begins helium fusion into carbon and oxygen, raising core temperatures.
- The heating of outer hydrogen layers causes them to fuse, significantly expanding the star and transforming it into a red giant.
End of Life for Low-Mass Stars
- When fuel is depleted, the outer gases are expelled, resulting in a luminous carbon-oxygen core, known as a white dwarf.
Planetary Nebula
- A dying low-mass star emits a halo of radiation, referred to as a planetary nebula.
Formation of Black Dwarfs
- Once the star has completely burned out its fuel, it theoretically becomes a black dwarf.
- No known black dwarfs exist yet, as the universe has not aged enough for low-mass stars to reach this stage.
Life Cycle Stages
- The life sequence of a low-mass star follows this order:
- Protostar
- Main sequence
- Red giant
- White dwarf
- Black dwarf
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Description
Explore the fascinating stages of low-mass stars with these flashcards. Each card presents a key concept, from their size to the processes they undergo throughout their life cycle. Ideal for students looking to understand stellar evolution.
