Stars and planets

Question 1

Life cycle of a high mass star

Answer 1

Protostar- Main sequence- Red super giant- supernova-black hole or neutron star

Question 2

Life cycle of a low mass star

Answer 2

Protostar- Main sequence- Red giant- white dwarf- Black dwarf

Question 3

What are the two forces pushing inwards and outwards

Answer 3

Gravity and gas pressure

Question 4

Describe the stage from the main sequence to a red giant

Answer 4

When the inward gravitational forces are less than the outward radiation pressure forces, the star swells and cools, thus turning red.

Question 5

Why are the inner 4 planets rocky and the outer are gaseous

Answer 5

Gaseous substances gathered together further away from the Sun and formed the gas giants.
Rocks tended to gather closer to the Sun, and these materials combined together to form the inner planets.

Question 6

How was a solar system formed

Answer 6

A dense hydrogen-rich cloud of gas and dust contracts under gravity. As the gas gets compressed, its temperature increases and the dust cloud begins to spin. A protostar begins to form at the centre of this spinning dust cloud.