Topic 8-Space physics Flashcards
What do stars initially form from?
A cloud of dust and gas.
What is a cloud of dust and gas called?
A nebula.
What can be formed from a nebula?
A protostar.
How is a protostar formed by a nebula?
The gravity pulls the dust and gas together.
What is a protostar eventually turned into?
A main sequence star.
How long does a main sequence star usually last?
Billions of years.
Why does a protostar eventually turn into a main sequence star?
Because there is lots of pressure from nuclear fusion which tries to expand the star balancing the force of gravity, pulling everything inwards.
What does a main sequence star turn into?
A red giant or a red super giant.
What is our sun?
A red giant.
Why does a main sequence star turn into a red giant?
Because it runs out of hydrogen.
What does a normal red giant turn into?
A white dwarf.
What does a white dwarf turn into?
A black dwarf.
What does a red super giant turn into?
A supernova.
What does a supernova turn into?
A neutron star or a black hole.
What is a black hole?
A dense point in space where light can’t escape.
How many planets do we have in our solar system?
Eight.
Name a dwarf planet in our solar system.
Pluto.
What planet is closest to the sun.
Mercury.
What planet is second closest to the sun?
Venus.
What planet becomes before the earth in the order of planets in our solar system?
Venus.
What planet is after Earth?
Mars.
What is the last planet in our solar system?
Neptune.
What are planets?
Large objects that orbit a star.
What are dwarf planets?
Objects that orbit a star but don’t meet the requirements of being an actual planet.
