Stars

Question 1

How is a star formed?

Answer 1

Huge clouds of gas and dust called STELLAR NEBULAE.
The gas it consists is mostly HYDROGEN.
The clouds come together because of GRAVITY.
The hydrogen particles start to spiral inwards in a process known as GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE.
The gas cloud spins and the PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE INCREASES.
Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and the centre of the cloud HEATS UP.
The superheated gas and dust are pulled together to form a PROTOSTAR.
When the temperature reaches about 15 MILLION degrees C NUCLEAR FUSION starts.
We now call this a MAIN SEQUENCE STAR.

Question 2

When making the planets, what is the term which describes the dust sticking together because of gravity?

Answer 2

Accretion

Question 3

What is spectroscopy?

Answer 3

The use and study of light?

Question 4

How are all all the naturally occurring elements apart from hydrogen formed?

Answer 4

By nuclear fusion is stars.

Question 5

Why is the ‘main sequence star’ phase the most stable?

Answer 5

As the outward pressure of the gas is BALANCED with the inward force of gravity.

Question 6

How long does a star last as a red giant?

Answer 6

About a billion years.

Question 7

What is the life cycle of a star with similar mass to our sun?

Answer 7

Protostar
Main sequence
Red giant
White dwarf
Black dwarf

Question 8

What is the life cycle of stars that are much more massive than our sun?

Answer 8

Protostar
Main sequence
Red Supergiant
Supernova
Neutron Star or Black Hole

Question 9

What was the process of the Big Bang?

Answer 9

Rapid expansion and cooling ~ protons and neutrons formed
Further expansion and cooling ~ protons and neutrons join together to create nuclei
Further expansion and cooling ~ electrons combine with nuclei to form atoms