Life Cycle Of Stars Flashcards
What is a protostar
The force of gravity pulling dust and gas together
How is a star born?
The gravitational energy converts to heat energy, increasing the temperature. Once high enough, nuclear fusion occurs, which gives out lots of heat and light.
What is the main sequence of a star?
It is where the heat created provides outward pressure to balance the force of gravity pulling everything inwards.
What happens when the hydrogen runs out for the star?
Heavier elements are made (eg iron) and the star swells to become a red giant or a super red giant
What happens to a red giant?
It becomes unstable, and then is a hot white core called a white dwarf, then cools to become a black dwarf
What happens to a red super giant?
It udergoes more nuclear fusion and expands then explodes in a supernova. This leaves the star as a nuetron star(small supernova) or a black hole(big supernova)
