Life Cycle of a Star

Front

What is a protostar?

Back

A protostar is a very young star that forms when gravity pulls gases and dust together, leading to the start of nuclear fusion.

Front

What happens during the red giant stage of a low-mass star?

Back

In the red giant stage, a low-mass star has used up all its hydrogen, starts to cool and expand, and begins fusing helium atoms.

Front

What is the life cycle of an average-sized star?

Back

The life cycle of an average-sized star is: Nebula > Protostar > Main-sequence star > Red giant > Planetary nebula > White dwarf > Black dwarf.

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A nebula is a cloud of dust and gas in space, held together by gravity, where stars are born.

Front

What distinguishes a red supergiant from a red giant?

Back

A red supergiant is very similar to a red giant but expands faster, lasts longer, and gets bigger than a red giant.

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 process that powers stars.

Front

What is the main-sequence star stage?

Back

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

Front

What occurs during the planetary nebula stage?

Back

During the planetary nebula stage, the outer layers of a low-mass star are expelled, leaving behind a hot core that becomes a white dwarf.

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

A white dwarf is the remnant core of a low-mass star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

Front

What is a black dwarf?

Back

A black dwarf is a theoretical stellar remnant that forms when a white dwarf cools down and no longer emits significant heat or light.