Star Life Cycle Review

Front

What is a white dwarf?

Back

A white dwarf is the hot, dense core left behind after a planetary nebula drifts apart.

Front

What happens to a high-mass star after a supernova?

Back

After a supernova, a high-mass star can become either a neutron star or a black hole, but not a white dwarf.

Front

What powers main sequence stars?

Back

Main sequence stars are powered by nuclear fusion reactions.

Front

What are stellar nebulae?

Back

Stellar (or star-forming) nebulae are clouds of gas and dust where stars are born.

Front

What is the remnant of the very largest stars after a supernova?

Back

The remnant of the very largest stars after a supernova is a black hole.

Front

Define a black hole.

Back

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

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.

Front

What is a neutron star?

Back

A neutron star is the collapsed core of a massive star that has undergone a supernova explosion, composed mostly of neutrons.

Front

What is a planetary nebula?

Back

A planetary nebula is a shell of gas ejected from a star during the late stages of its evolution.

Front

What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The life cycle of a star includes stages such as nebula, main sequence, red giant, supernova, and remnant (white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole).