Orbits and Stars

Front

What is the primary method used to determine the composition of the Sun?

Back

We can compare lines of absorption to determine what gases make up the Sun.

Front

What occurs to a star with a mass 40 times that of the Sun when it exhausts its nuclear fuel?

Back

It explodes as a supernova.

Front

Why does a star increase in size when it becomes a red giant?

Back

As it burns fuel, it loses mass, reducing its gravitational force and allowing gases to move away.

Front

What happens to the distance between the Sun and Earth due to Earth's elliptical orbit?

Back

The distance between the Sun and Earth varies.

Front

What is the main factor that influences a star's life cycle?

Back

The masses of each star relate to the length of its life.

Front

What is a black hole?

Back

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

Front

Define a neutron star.

Back

A dense remnant of a supernova explosion, primarily composed of neutrons.

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

A small, dense star that is the remnant of a low or medium mass star after it has exhausted its nuclear fuel.

Front

Explain the concept of an elliptical orbit.

Back

An elliptical orbit is an oval-shaped path that an object takes around a star, where the distance from the star varies.

Front

What is nuclear fusion in stars?

Back

The process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.