Stars Flashcards
How are stars formed ?
Clouds of gas, hydrogen and helium, and dust
How are protostars formed ?
Gravity collects this cloud together and as it is compressed it heats up
How are main sequence stars formed ?
Hydrogen fuses to form helium.
Creates radiation and gas pressure to balance the gravitational forces
What key process do stars rely on ? Why ?
Fusion of elements
To release their energy
What are the two forces that the stars stability rely on ?
Gravitational force
Radiation and gas pressure acting out
Process of a Low mass star :
Stars form
Protostars
Main sequence
Red giant
White dwarf
Process of Large mass star :
Stars form
Protostars
Main sequence
Supergiant
Supernova
Neutron star or a Black hole
How is a red giant formed ?
Hydrogen begins to run out
Star will fuse helium into larger elements
This increases gas and radiation pressure
How is a White Dwarf formed ?
Helium begins to run out
Reaction will slow
Gas and radiation pressure decreases
Star will shrink
How is a Supergiant formed ?
Hydrogen begins to run out
Star will fuse helium into larger elements
This increase has and radiation pressure
Star expands
How is a supernova formed ?
Helium begins to run out
Reaction slows
Star becomes unstable
Explodes un a supernova
Throws gas and dust into space
High pressure/temperature will cause fusion with heavy elements
How is a neutron star or black hole formed ?
Remaining matter will collapse due to gravitational force
Gas and radiation pressure will be small
Shrinks to form nebula/black hole
How are stars formed ?
Clouds of gas from hydrogen and helium
How are protostars formed ?
Gravity collects a cloud of matter together and as it compresses it heats up
How is main sequence stars formed ?
Hydrogen fuses to form helium.
This creates enough radiation and gas pressure to balance gravitational forces
What key process do stars rely on ? Why ?
Fusion of elements to release their energy
What two forces does the stability of stars rely on ?
Gravitational acting inwards
Radiation and gas pressure acting outwards
