AI C19 Flashcards
What is a star?
A star is a luminous sphere of plasma held together by its own gravity.
What is the primary source of a star’s energy?
The primary source of a star’s energy is nuclear fusion in its core.
What is the process of nuclear fusion in a star?
Nuclear fusion in a star is the process where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium, releasing a large amount of energy.
What are the two forces that are in balance within a star?
The two forces that are in balance within a star are gravity pulling inward and radiation pressure pushing outward.
What determines the size and mass of a star?
The size and mass of a star are determined by the balance between gravity and radiation pressure.
What is the life cycle of a star like the Sun?
The life cycle of a star like the Sun involves stages such as main sequence, red giant, planetary nebula, and white dwarf.
What is the Chandrasekhar limit?
The Chandrasekhar limit is the maximum mass of a stable white dwarf star, approximately 1.4 times the mass of the Sun.
What is a neutron star?
A neutron star is a highly dense remnant of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion.
What is a black hole?
A black hole is a region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.
What is Hawking radiation?
Hawking radiation is thermal radiation predicted to be emitted by black holes due to quantum effects near the event horizon.
What is the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram used for?
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is used to classify stars based on their luminosity, temperature, and evolutionary stage.
What is a main sequence star?
A main sequence star is a star fusing hydrogen into helium in its core, like our Sun.
What is a red giant star?
A red giant star is a star that has exhausted its core hydrogen and expanded to a larger size.
What is a white dwarf star?
A white dwarf star is the remnant core of a low to medium mass star after it has shed its outer layers as a planetary nebula.
What is a supernova?
A supernova is a stellar explosion that briefly outshines an entire galaxy, releasing an immense amount of energy.
What is the ultimate fate of a massive star?
The ultimate fate of a massive star is to undergo a supernova explosion, potentially leaving behind a neutron star or black hole.
What is stellar nucleosynthesis?
Stellar nucleosynthesis is the process by which elements are formed within stars through nuclear reactions.
What is the significance of the iron peak in stellar nucleosynthesis?
The iron peak in stellar nucleosynthesis is the point where nuclear fusion of elements becomes endothermic, leading to the end of a star’s life.
What is a planetary nebula?
A planetary nebula is a glowing shell of gas ejected by a low to medium mass star in the late stages of its life.
What is the role of magnetic fields in star formation?
Magnetic fields play a crucial role in regulating the collapse of interstellar gas clouds to form stars.
What is the concept of hydrostatic equilibrium in stars?
Hydrostatic equilibrium in stars is the balance between the inward gravitational force and the outward pressure force.
What are the two types of nuclear reactions that power stars?
The two types of nuclear reactions that power stars are the proton-proton chain and the CNO cycle.
What is the main sequence phase of a star’s life cycle?
The main sequence phase of a star’s life cycle is when it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core and is in a stable state.
What is the solar neutrino problem?
The solar neutrino problem refers to the discrepancy between the predicted and observed number of neutrinos emitted by the Sun.
