Stars Flashcards
How are stars formed
When enough dust and gas clump together because of gravitational forces
When it is hot enough for hydrogen to fuse to make helium
How do you get a red giant?
When all the hydrogen has been used up in the fusion process, larger nuclei begin to form and the star expands to form a red giant
How do you get a white dwarf
When all nuclear reactions are over a small star like the sun may contract under the pull of gravity. It be corns white which fades and changes colour as it cools
How do you get a supernova
A larger star with more mass will make more nuclear reactions, get hotter and expand until it explodes as a supernova
How do you get a black hole
An exploding supernova throws hot gas and dust into space leaving a neutron star which eventually shrinks into a black hole
What is the life cycle of a big star?
Protostar Main sequence star Red super giant Supernova Neutron or black hole
What is the life cycle of a smaller star
Protostar Main sequence star Red giant White dwarf Black dwarf
