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Questions and Answers
What marks the transformation of a protostar into a main-sequence star?
What marks the transformation of a protostar into a main-sequence star?
All stars last the same amount of time on the main sequence.
All stars last the same amount of time on the main sequence.
False
What occurs when the hydrogen in a star's core is depleted?
What occurs when the hydrogen in a star's core is depleted?
The star leaves the main sequence.
A core with a mass exceeding 3 times that of the Sun will collapse into a __________.
A core with a mass exceeding 3 times that of the Sun will collapse into a __________.
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Match the outcomes of a star's core collapse with their conditions:
Match the outcomes of a star's core collapse with their conditions:
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Study Notes
Star Formation and Evolution
- Stars form in nebulae, vast clouds of gas and dust.
- Gravity causes these clouds to collapse, creating a protostar.
- Nuclear fusion ignites in the protostar's core, transforming it into a main sequence star.
Main Sequence Star Lifespan
- Star lifespan depends on mass; larger stars burn faster.
- Hydrogen fuel eventually depletes, causing the star to leave the main sequence.
Massive Star Evolution
- Massive stars fuse successively heavier elements (like helium, carbon, and oxygen).
- Fusion progresses to iron, where energy production stops.
- Core collapse triggers a supernova explosion.
Stellar Remnants
- Neutron Star: A core between 1.4 and 3 times the Sun's mass collapses into a neutron star.
- Black Hole: A core exceeding this mass collapses into a black hole, an incredibly dense region with immense gravitational pull. Light cannot escape its gravity.
Black Holes in Detail
- Black holes warp spacetime around them.
- Accretion disks form when black holes draw in matter, heating and glowing.
- Black holes' presence is understood through the effects they have on their surroundings.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the processes involved in star formation and evolution. Explore concepts like the life cycle of stars, from protostars to black holes, and understand how gravity and nuclear fusion play crucial roles in their development.
