Life Cycle of a Star

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What is the life cycle of a star?

Back

The life cycle of a star refers to the series of stages a star goes through from its formation in a nebula to its eventual death, which can result in various end states such as a white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole.

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What is a nebula?

Back

A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space, where stars are born and can also be the remnants of dead stars.

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What force causes dust particles to stick together in a nebula?

Back

Gravity is the force that causes dust particles to stick together in a nebula.

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What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy. This process powers stars.

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What is a black hole?

Back

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

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What is a white dwarf?

Back

A white dwarf is the final stage of evolution for low to medium mass stars, where the star has exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers.

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What is a neutron star?

Back

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

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What is a red giant?

Back

A red giant is a late stage in the life cycle of a star, where it expands and cools after exhausting the hydrogen in its core.

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True or False: All stars will eventually become a black hole.

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False. Not all stars will become black holes; only massive stars do.

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What happens to a star like our Sun at the end of its life cycle?

Back

A star like our Sun will eventually become a red giant and then shed its outer layers to form a planetary nebula, leaving behind a white dwarf.