Life Cycle of a Star

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The life cycle of a star includes several stages: stellar nebula, main sequence, red giant, and depending on the mass, it can end as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

Front

What is a stellar nebula?

Back

A stellar nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space, where stars are born.

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What defines a main sequence star?

Back

A main sequence star is a star that is in the stable phase of its life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

Front

What happens to a star when it exhausts its hydrogen fuel?

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When a star exhausts its hydrogen fuel, it expands into a red giant and begins to fuse heavier elements.

Front

What is a red giant?

Back

A red giant is a late stage in the life cycle of a star, characterized by its large size and reddish color due to cooler surface temperatures.

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What is a white dwarf?

Back

A white dwarf is the remnant core of a star that has shed its outer layers, representing the final stage for stars like our Sun.

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What is a neutron star?

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A neutron star is an extremely dense remnant of a supernova explosion, composed mostly of neutrons.

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What is a pulsar?

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A pulsar is a type of neutron star that emits beams of radiation and appears to pulse as it rotates.

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What is the difference between a red giant and a white dwarf?

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A red giant is a large, luminous star in the late stages of its life, while a white dwarf is a small, dense remnant of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel.

Front

What is a black hole?

Back

A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it.