Stellar Life Cycles

Front

Most stars develop from very massive cloud of gas and dust called...

Back

nebulae

Front

When a young, developing star becomes massive enough and dense enough, the process of _______ begins.

Back

H --> He fusion

Front

When stars are fusing hydrogen into helium, and are neither expanding nor contracting, they are said to...

Back

in hydrostatic equilibrium

Front

When a large enough mass of interstellar gas compresses, it begins to rotate. At this point, a __________ has formed.

Back

protostar

Front

Which type of star has the longest life span? Options: A star of 10 solar masses, A star of 1 solar mass, A star of 0.1 solar masses, A star of 50 solar masses

Back

A star of 0.1 solar masses

Front

The smallest main sequence stars are called...

Back

red dwarfs

Front

This life stage of massive stars is responsible for the generation of elements with atomic numbers greater than 26 (the atomic number of Fe; iron)

Back

supernova

Front

The smallest, densest stars in the universe are called...

Back

neutron stars

Front

For sun-sized stars, once the helium is used up, there will be a ___________ , eventually forming a _____________ and a _______________ .

Back

helium flash; planetary nebula; white dwarf

Front

What two forces hold the star in balance during its main sequence life span?

Back

gravitational pressure pushes in; thermal pressure pushes out