the life cycle of a star Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is the life cycle of stars?
Stars are born, live a life of varying lengths, and eventually die in various ways.
What is a Nebula?
A nebula is a cloud of dust and gas in the galaxy, mostly hydrogen, that can contract when disturbed.
What is a Protostar?
A protostar forms when a clump of gas and dust within a nebula begins to contract and collapse due to gravitational attraction.
How can we observe a Protostar?
A protostar can be viewed with an infrared telescope because it is surrounded by gas and dust.
What happens during the Main Sequence stage of a star?
The core of the star fuses hydrogen to helium, releasing energy that balances gravitational collapse.
What are the types of Main Sequence stars based on mass?
- Low Mass - less than 4 times the mass of the sun
- Medium Mass - 4-10 times the mass of the sun
- High Mass - greater than 10 times the mass of the sun
What happens when a Main Sequence star runs low on hydrogen fuel?
The star can no longer produce the energy needed to prevent collapse, leading to cooling of the surface and shrinking of the core.
What is a Red Giant Star?
A Red Giant Star forms when a low mass Main Sequence star expands and cools, increasing luminosity due to nuclear fusion.
What happens to the Sun when it becomes a Red Giant?
When our sun becomes a Red Giant, it will be 1000 times brighter than today, and the inner planets will be vaporized.
Who is Camila Boucher-montagne?
Camila Boucher-montagne is associated with the study of Red Supergiant Stars.
What are Red Supergiant Stars?
Red Supergiant Stars have cooled surfaces (red color) but increased luminosity due to their large size.
What happens to the core of a Red Supergiant Star with a mass 4 times greater than the Sun?
The hydrogen fusing core changes to one that fuses helium to carbon.
What occurs as the core of a Red Supergiant Star becomes heavier?
The star contracts further due to gravitational pull, increasing pressure and temperature.
What elements are formed as a result of increased temperature in a Red Supergiant Star?
Carbon fuses to become oxygen, neon, and magnesium.
What is Betelgeuse?
Betelgeuse is a Red Supergiant star visible as the right shoulder in the constellation Orion.
What happens when a star is no longer undergoing fusion?
The star begins to collapse for the final time.
What are the possible outcomes for Low Mass Stars?
A. White Dwarf
B. Black Dwarf
What is a White Dwarf?
A White Dwarf is a very dense, Earth-sized object remaining after the outer layers of a star are blown off.
What is a Black Dwarf?
A Black Dwarf is a White Dwarf that has lost all its heat and is cold and dark.
What are the possible outcomes for Medium Mass Stars?
A. Supernova
B. Neutron Star
What is a Supernova?
A Supernova is a catastrophic explosion where the star appears millions of times brighter.
What is a Neutron Star?
A Neutron Star is a dense remnant of a supernova that emits energy as radio waves.
What are the possible outcomes for High Mass Stars?
A. Large Supernova
B. Black Hole
What is a Large Supernova?
A Large Supernova is a catastrophic explosion similar to a Supernova but associated with high mass stars.
