Stars and Elements

Front

Why do massive stars have shorter life-spans than average stars?

Back

Massive stars burn through their fuel faster than average stars.

Front

What is one light year in kilometers?

Back

One light year is 9.5 x 10^12 kilometers.

Front

What is the fourth stage in the life cycle of an average star?

Back

The fourth stage is the Red Giant.

Front

What causes stars to die when too much of it is formed inside?

Back

Stars die when too much Iron (Fe) is formed inside them.

Front

What heavier elements such as Au and U are formed from?

Back

Heavier elements are formed when neutrons from other elements are torn from their atom's nucleus and recombined in new forms.

Front

Define a star's life cycle.

Back

A star's life cycle is the series of stages a star goes through from formation to death.

Front

What is a Red Giant?

Back

A Red Giant is a late stage in the life cycle of a star where it expands and cools after exhausting its hydrogen fuel.

Front

What is a Planetary Nebula?

Back

A Planetary Nebula is an expanding shell of gas ejected from red giants late in their life cycle.

Front

What is a Stellar Nebula?

Back

A Stellar Nebula is a cloud of gas and dust in space, where new stars are born.

Front

What is a Pulsar?

Back

A Pulsar is a highly magnetized rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation.