space physics Flashcards
what galaxy is our solar system part off
the Milky Way galaxy
how many planets do our solar system make up
8
what do the plants in our system orbit around
the sun
what type of body is the sun
a star
what type of force pulled together the cloud of dust and gas to form the sun
gravitational force of attraction
what word is used to describe a cloud of dust and gas
a nebula
what type of reactions take place at the start of a star lives cycle as dust and gas is drawn together
fusion reactions
what factor determines the type of lifecycle of a star undergoes
the size of the star
which two phases do all stars of the same or greater size than the sun undergo
- protostar phase
- main sequence phase
what do stars of a similar magnitude to the sun become at the end of their life-cycle
a black dwarf
what two things can stars much bigger than the sun become at the end of their lifecycle
- neutron star
- black hole
what 2 phases do stars of a similar size to the sun go through between being a main sequence star and a black dwarf
- red giant
- white dwarf
what 2 phases do stars of a greater size than the sun go through between being a main sequence star and a neutron star/black hole
- red super giant
- supernova
what are produced during the fusion processes in a star
all of the naturally occurring elements
what condition is required for fusion reactions to occur in a star
very high temps