Life Cycle of Stars

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What is the life cycle of a star?

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The life cycle of a star refers to the stages a star goes through from its formation in a nebula to its eventual death, which can result in a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

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What is a Stellar Nebula?

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A Stellar Nebula is a giant cloud of gas and dust in space where new stars are born.

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What are the main stages of a star's life cycle?

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The main stages are: 1) Stellar Nebula, 2) Main Sequence, 3) Red Giant or Supergiant, 4) Supernova (for massive stars) or Planetary Nebula (for smaller stars), 5) Neutron Star or Black Hole (for massive stars) or White Dwarf (for smaller stars).

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What is a Main Sequence star?

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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.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

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What is a Red Giant?

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A Red Giant is a late stage in a star's life cycle where it expands and cools after exhausting the hydrogen in its core.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

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What is a Supernova?

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A Supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a massive star's life cycle, resulting in the star's outer layers being expelled.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

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What is a White Dwarf?

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A White Dwarf is the remnant core of a small to medium-sized star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

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What is a Neutron Star?

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A Neutron Star is the collapsed core of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion, composed mostly of neutrons.

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What is a Black Hole?

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

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What is the difference between Spiral and Elliptical galaxies?

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Spiral galaxies have a flat, rotating disk with arms, while Elliptical galaxies are more rounded and lack the distinct structure of spiral arms.