Life Cycle of a Star

Front

What is the first stage in the life cycle of a star?

Back

Nebula

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

An exploding star that occurs at the end of a massive star's life cycle.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Front

What determines the life cycle of a star?

Back

The mass (size) of the star.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a protostar?

Back

A stage in the star formation process where a cloud of gas and dust begins to collapse under gravity.

Front

What happens to a super red giant at the end of its life?

Back

It ends its life in a massive explosion called a supernova.

Front

What is a black dwarf?

Back

A theoretical final stage of a star that has cooled and no longer emits significant heat or light.

Front

What is a planetary nebula?

Back

A shell of gas ejected from a red giant star during the late stages of its life.

Front

What is the main sequence phase of a star?

Back

The longest phase in a star's life cycle where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the relationship between a star's mass and its life cycle?

Back

More massive stars have shorter life cycles and end in supernovae, while less massive stars have longer life cycles.

Front

What is the final stage of a massive star after a supernova?

Back

It can become a neutron star or a black hole, depending on its mass.