P8 - Space Physics Flashcards
What is a nebula
A cloud of dust and gas
What is a protostar
When the dust and gas (of a nebula) pull together due to gravity faster and faster which causes the temperature to rise
What’s the two forces acting on a star
Gravitational force and force due to fusion
When are the forces balanced in a star
When there is hydrogen available to fuse
What happens when hydrogen runs out of a main sequence star
A red giant is formed if the star is up to 8 solar masses
 A red supergiant is formed with very large main sequence stars
What happens when a red giant runs out of helium
A white dwarf is formed
What happens once a white dwarf has cooled down
A black dwarf is formed
When does the red supergiant turn into a supernova
When it has run out of nuclei to fuse
When does a supernova turn into a neutron star
When the store collapses which causes elements heavier than iron to form
When does the supernova turn into a black hole
When the supernova has a large Core 
What are the properties of a black hole 
A very strong gravitational field where even light cannot escape
What are the properties of a neutron star
Hot and dense
What is the life-cycle of a small star
Nebula —>protostar —> main sequence star —>red giant —>white dwarf —> black dwarf
What is life-cycle of a large main sequence star
Nebula —>Protostar —> main sequence star —> red supergiant —>supernova —> neutron star or black hole
