Stellar Evolution and Stability Quiz

Evolution of a Star

• Evolution of a star means a change in its properties over time, resulting in different stages.
• The Sun's properties have not changed in the past 4.5 billion years, illustrating that stars evolve very slowly for most of their lifetime.

Energy Generation and Balance

• Stars continuously emit energy, resulting in a constant decrease in their energy.
• To maintain stability, a balance between gas pressure and gravitational force is necessary, which requires a constant temperature.
• The temperature remains constant due to energy generation inside the star, resulting from the burning of fuel at the centre.

Fuel and Evolution

• The burning of fuel and its subsequent decrease in the centre is the reason for the evolution of stars.
• When the fuel at the centre finishes, energy generation stops, leading to a decrease in temperature and gas pressure.
• As the gravitational force becomes stronger than the gas pressure, the star begins to contract.

Contraction and New Fuel

• Contraction of the star leads to the burning of a new fuel, for example, helium fusion and energy generation start when hydrogen is finished.
• The number of fuels used depends on the mass of the star.

Test your knowledge on the evolution and stability of stars over time, and how they maintain balance between gas pressure and gravitational force. Learn about the slow changes in properties of stars and the constant decrease in energy as they emit radiation.