ESS1.A Flashcard

Front

What is dark matter?

Back

A form of matter that does not emit light or energy, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects.

Front

How does dark matter influence galaxy rotation?

Back

It causes galaxies to spin faster than expected due to its gravitational pull.

Front

What is the main sequence stage of a star?

Back

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

Front

Why do stars in the main sequence remain stable?

Back

They are balanced by gravitational forces and nuclear fusion.

Front

What happens to a massive star at the end of its life cycle?

Back

It can become a neutron star or a black hole.

Front

What is the primary element in stars during their formation?

Back

Hydrogen.

Front

What characterizes an irregular galaxy?

Back

It has an irregular shape and lacks a defined structure.

Front

What is a neutron star?

Back

A dense remnant of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion.

Front

What is a black hole?

Back

A region of space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

The process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.