Flashcardziz: Solar System Formation/Stars

Front

What shape are the orbits of the planets in our solar system?

Back

Ellipses

Front

Rank the colors of stars from hottest to coolest.

Back

Blue, white, yellow, orange/red, red

Front

What needs to happen in order for a star to form?

Back

Atomic nuclei fuse together.

Front

What is the most popular idea about how our solar system was made?

Back

The nebular theory.

Front

What is the most commonly accepted theory of solar system formation?

Back

The nebular theory.

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A large cloud of gas and dust in space, where stars are born.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

The process where atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Front

What role does gravity play in star formation?

Back

Gravity pulls gas and dust together to form stars.

Front

What is the difference between a planet and a star?

Back

A planet orbits a star and does not produce its own light, while a star generates light and heat through nuclear fusion.

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

Stars form from nebulae, go through stages like main sequence and red giant, and end as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes.