space physics

Question 1

what are the main 10 stages in a stars lifetime ( just state form of star such as its name)

Answer 1

cloud of dust and gas, protostar, main sequence star, red giant, white dwarf, black dwarf, red super giant, supernova neutron star, black hole

Question 2

what is the process of a star becoming a red giant and red super giant

Answer 2

1. stars initially start as dust and gasses which the force of gravity pulls them together to form a protostar
2. as star gets denser, it gets hotter and particles collide in hydrogen nucleus causing nuclear fusion
3. star enters a stable period where outward pressure caused by nuclear fission balances the force of gravity creating a main sequence star where it stays for several billion years
4. eventually hydrogen runs out and star swells, as it cools it turns red and therefore becomes a red giant or red super giant

Question 3

what is the difference between a red super giant and a red giant star

Answer 3

a super giant star is a star larger than the sun and a red super star is a star smaller or the same size as the sun

Question 4

after a star forms a red giant, what are the next stages of its life cycle

Answer 4

1. becomes unstable and ejects an outer layer of dust and gas leaving behind a hot dense core this is a white dwarf
2. when this white dwarf cools, it emits less energy until it becomes a black dwarf

Question 5

after a star forms a red super giant, what are the next stages of its life cycle

Answer 5

1. they begin to glow brightly again as they undergo more fusion and therefore begins to form element. eventually they explode in a supernova and form elements heavier than iron that will eject into space forming new planets and stars
2. the exploding supernova throws layers of dust and gas leaving a very dense core ( a neutron star) and if it is large enough it becomes a black hole

Question 6

define the term planet

Answer 6

large objects that orbit a star, they have strong enough gravity to have pulled in any objects

Question 7

define the term dwarf planets

Answer 7

planet like those that orbit the sun however don’t meet requirements of being a planet

Question 8

define the term moon

Answer 8

these orbit planets and are a type of natural satellites

Question 9

define the term artificial satellite

Answer 9

satellites that humans have built

Question 10

define the term satellite

Answer 10

an object that orbits another larger object

Question 11

explain how the process of circular motion works `

Answer 11

1. a planet is constantly changing velocity as it is constantly changing direction
2. for an object to accelerate there must be a force acting on it (the force directed to the centre, gravity)
3. the force would cause the object to fall to the centre but its already moving so just changes direction
4. the object keeps accelerating toward what it is orbiting but the instantaneous velocity (at a right angle) keeps movement in a circle