Spacw And Behond Flashcards
What is the first stage in the life cycle of a star?
Nebula
True or False: A star is formed when a nebula collapses under its own gravity.
True
What process occurs in the core of a star during its main sequence phase?
Nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium
Fill in the blank: The life cycle of a star depends primarily on its _______.
Mass
Which type of star will eventually become a red giant?
A medium-mass star
What happens to a low-mass star after it exhausts its hydrogen fuel?
It becomes a red giant and then sheds its outer layers to form a planetary nebula.
True or False: Massive stars end their life cycle as white dwarfs.
False
What is the final stage of a massive star’s life cycle?
Supernova
Multiple choice: What is formed after a supernova explosion?
Neutron star or black hole
What is a white dwarf?
The remnant core of a low to medium-mass star after it has shed its outer layers.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the region around a star where nuclear fusion occurs.
Core
What stage follows the red giant phase for a medium-mass star?
Planetary nebula
True or False: All stars will eventually become black holes.
False
What is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram used for?
To classify stars based on their luminosity and temperature.
What is a supernova?
A powerful and luminous explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star’s life.
Multiple choice: Which type of star is the hottest and most luminous?
O-type star
What happens during the main sequence phase of a star’s life?
The star fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.
Fill in the blank: After a star has exhausted its nuclear fuel, it may become a _______ or a black hole.
Neutron star
What is the significance of a star’s mass in its life cycle?
It determines the star’s evolution, lifespan, and end state.
True or False: The fusion of heavier elements occurs in the cores of massive stars.
True
What is the main characteristic of a red giant?
It has expanded and cooled, resulting in a reddish appearance.
What forms when a star like our Sun exhausts its nuclear fuel?
A white dwarf
Multiple choice: Which phase lasts the longest in a star’s life cycle?
Main sequence phase
What is a planetary nebula?
A shell of gas ejected from a low to medium-mass star at the end of its life.
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the remnant of a massive star that has collapsed under its own gravity.
Neutron star
What role does gravity play in the life cycle of a star?
It causes the nebula to collapse and initiates the formation of a star.
