Life Cycle of a Star

Front

What is a star?

Back

A star is a massive, luminous sphere of plasma held together by gravity, undergoing nuclear fusion in its core.

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 black hole or neutron star.

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space, often the birthplace of stars.

Front

What happens during the main sequence stage of a star's life?

Back

During the main sequence stage, a star fuses hydrogen into helium in its core, producing energy and light.

Front

What is a red giant?

Back

A red giant is a late stage in a star's life cycle where it expands and cools after exhausting its hydrogen fuel.

Front

What is a supernova?

Back

A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle, often resulting in the formation of a neutron star or black hole.

Front

What is a black hole?

Back

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

Front

What is a neutron star?

Back

A neutron star is the remnant core of a massive star that has exploded in a supernova, composed mostly of neutrons.

Front

What role does gravity play in the life cycle of a star?

Back

Gravity pulls together gas and dust to form stars and influences their evolution and eventual fate.

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.