Life Cycle of Stars

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What is the life cycle of a star?

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The life cycle of a star is the series of stages a star goes through from its formation to its death, including stages like nebula, main sequence, red giant, and supernova.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

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What is a nebula?

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A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space, often the birthplace of stars.

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What is a main sequence star?

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A main sequence star is a star that is in the stable phase of its life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

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What happens to a star when it runs out of hydrogen?

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When a star runs out of hydrogen, it begins to fuse helium and expands into a red giant.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

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What is a red giant?

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A red giant is a late stage in a star's life cycle where it has expanded and cooled, resulting in a reddish appearance.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

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What is a supernova?

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A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle, often resulting in the formation of a neutron star or black hole.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

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What determines the fate of a star after it becomes a red giant?

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The fate of a star after it becomes a red giant is determined by its mass; it can become a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

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What is a white dwarf?

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A white dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

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What is a neutron star?

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A neutron star is the extremely dense remnant of a supernova explosion, composed mostly of neutrons.

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What is a black hole?

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