Flashcard on Spectral Classification of Stars

Front

What causes main-sequence stars to have long life cycles?

Back

Balance between gravitational force and gas pressure.

Front

How are stars grouped in the spectral classification system?

Back

By their temperature, color, and luminosity.

Front

Which of these stars is hottest? (Red Star, Yellow Star, Orange Star, Blue Star)

Back

Blue Star.

Front

What type of stars are cooler in temperature AND of high luminosity?

Back

Red Supergiants.

Front

Most of the stars on the HR diagram are classified as which type of star?

Back

Main Sequence.

Front

What is the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram?

Back

A scatter plot of stars showing the relationship between their absolute magnitudes or luminosities versus their stellar classifications or effective temperatures.

Front

What is a main-sequence star?

Back

A star that is in the stable phase of hydrogen burning in its core, where it fuses hydrogen into helium.

Front

What is the significance of a star's color in spectral classification?

Back

A star's color indicates its temperature, with blue being the hottest and red being the coolest.

Front

What are red supergiants?

Back

Massive stars that have expanded and cooled, resulting in a lower surface temperature but high luminosity.

Front

What is the relationship between a star's mass and its life cycle?

Back

More massive stars have shorter life cycles due to faster nuclear fusion rates.