The solar system Flashcards
Nuclear fusion
Happens naturally(inside stars), nuclei of two atoms collide to make a bigger one. Two atoms of hydrogen forms helium.
Nuclear fission
Break down of atomic nuclei to make smaller nuclei. Fire high speed neutron to them. This cases a chain of reactions.
Life stages of star, bigger than our sun.
- Protostar
- Main sequence star
- Red super giant
- Supernova
- Neutron star or black hole
Life stages of star, similar size to our sun.
- Protostar
- Main sequence star
- Red giant
- White Dwarf
- Black dwarf
Protostar
The early stage of a star when the dust and gas particles pull together due to gravity. The gravitational energy is converted into heat energy, so temperature rises.
Main sequence star
The star is stable because the forces of gravity acting inwards are equal to the forces outside created by nuclear fusion.
Red super giant
Largest star in universe. They burn for longer than regular red giants. They expand and contract several times. forming elements as iron.
Supernova
The compression in the core causes a massive explosion which is supernova. Forming elements heavier than iron and ejecting them into Universe.
Neutron star
The explosion compress the core into a dense object made of just neutrons.
Black hole
If the star is big enough, the star will collapse into itself due to gravity. The gravity is very strong that even light cannot escape.
Red giant
When the star run out of hydrogen, it cools down and turns red.
White Dwarf
The star becomes unstable and eject its outer layer of dust and gas. This leaves behind a hot, dense solid core which has a white colour.
Black Dwarf
As the white dwarf fade out, it will become a black dwarf.
When the temperature gets high enough…(protostar)
Hydrogen nuclei begin to undergo nuclear fusion to form helium nuclei and give out a lot of heat and light.
