Life Cycle Of Stars

Question 1

what is a protostar

Answer 1

gas and dust brought together under gravity but without thn unclear fusion taking place

Question 2

at which stage of a larger stars life cycle are the heaviest elements found

Answer 2

supernova stage

Question 3

what is nuclear fusion

Answer 3

the joining of two small nuclei to form a larger one

Question 4

what is the first fusion which takes place in a star

Answer 4

hydrogen fuses to create helium

Question 5

what are the stages of a small star similar to that of our sun

Answer 5

Protostar
Main Sequence Star
Red Giant
White Dwarf
Black Dwarf when no radiation can be emitted

Question 6

describe the stages of a large star that is much bigger than our sun

Answer 6

Protostar 
Main Sequence Star
Red Super Giant
Supernova
Either: Neutron Star or a Black Hole ( if it is supermassive enough )

Question 7

how does a star shine

Answer 7

hydrogen fuses to form helium and lots of heat and light energy are released

Question 8

why can’t the lifetime of a star be determined

Answer 8

• the life time is too long
• not enough data to allow a value to be accurately calculated
• very hard to conduct measurements needed to calculate lifetime

Question 9

what are stars made of

Answer 9

dust and gas, primarily hydrogen

Question 10

why are stars stable during the main sequence phase

Answer 10

both forces, inwards and outwards are stable