H-R Diagram and Lifecycle Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are the X and Y axis represented by?
X- Temperature from High to Low
Y-Luminosity from Low to High
What is a main sequence star and where is it on the HR?
An ‘average’ star. It is in the main stream/sequence
What is a red dwarf?
A small cool star towards the end of its life
Blue Super giant?
A star that is really bright because of its size and heat. It is towards the end of its life as it expands.
How do Binary stars work?
The law that is stated that stars are usually in pairs. They will orbit each other.
How are stars born?
They are born in a stellar Nebulae or molecular clouds. Gravity will pull the particles together and create mass. Compression creates the heat.
What is a protostar?
A new star before it has nuclear fusion.
What is a brown dwarf?
This is a failed star. It is not bright enough because it does not have fusion but it gives off little light due to compression and heat
What does nuclear fusion do?
Turns Hydrogen to Helium.
What general idea about the lifetime of stars should be remembered?
Smaller ones last longer.
