Stars Flashcard Review

Front

What is the core of a star?

Back

The core is the central part of a star where energy is produced through nuclear fusion, making it dense and hot.

Front

What is a sunspot?

Back

A sunspot is a dark area of the photosphere that is cooler than the surrounding areas, formed in regions of strong magnetic fields.

Front

What are the main requirements for star formation?

Back

The main requirements for star formation are gravity and hydrogen. Heat is not required.

Front

What happens during the death stage of a star's life cycle?

Back

During the death stage, fusion stops, the core is crushed by gravity, and the star glows bright white, becoming a white dwarf.

Front

What is the photosphere?

Back

The photosphere is the visible surface of a star from which light is emitted.

Front

What is the corona of a star?

Back

The corona is the outermost layer of a star's atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space and visible during a solar eclipse.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy, and is the primary source of energy in stars.

Front

What is the main sequence stage of a star?

Back

The main sequence is the longest stage in a star's life cycle where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core.

Front

What is a red giant?

Back

A red giant is a late stage in a star's life cycle when it has exhausted hydrogen in its core and expands, becoming cooler and redder.

Front

What is gravitational collapse?

Back

Gravitational collapse is the process by which a star's core contracts under its own gravity, leading to increased temperature and pressure.