Life Cycle of a Star

Front

What is a Supernova?

Back

An explosion in which some of the outer layers of a very massive star are blown away.

Front

Define Nebula.

Back

A cloud of gas and dust in space.

Front

What is a Black Hole?

Back

A collapsed star so dense that light does not escape its gravitational pull.

Front

What happens to a low mass star at the end of its life?

Back

It ends its life as a white dwarf.

Front

What is a Planetary Nebula?

Back

Material released from a red giant star when the star can't hold on to its outer layer.

Front

Describe the life cycle stages of a star.

Back

The life cycle of a star includes stages such as nebula, main sequence, red giant, supernova, and black hole or white dwarf.

Front

What is the main sequence phase of a star?

Back

The main sequence is the longest phase in a star's life where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

Front

How does a star become a red giant?

Back

A star becomes a red giant when it exhausts hydrogen in its core and begins to fuse helium and other heavier elements.

Front

What is the significance of a supernova in the universe?

Back

Supernovae are significant because they distribute heavy elements into space, contributing to the formation of new stars and planets.

Front

What is the difference between a white dwarf and a black hole?

Back

A white dwarf is the remnant of a low mass star that has shed its outer layers, while a black hole is a region of space with a gravitational pull so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.