Exploring the Sun and Stars

How does the mass of a star affect its lifespan?

• More massive stars have longer lifespans because they have more fuel.

• Less massive stars have shorter lifespans because they burn fuel faster.

• More massive stars have shorter lifespans because they burn fuel faster.

• Mass does not affect a star's lifespan.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

Explain how gravity and nuclear fusion are interconnected in maintaining a star's stability.

• Gravity pulls the star's material inward, while nuclear fusion pushes outward, balancing the forces.

• Gravity and nuclear fusion both push outward, causing the star to expand.

• Gravity and nuclear fusion both pull inward, causing the star to collapse.

• Gravity has no effect on nuclear fusion.

Which of the following best describes a supernova?

• A new star forming from a nebula

• The explosion of a star at the end of its life cycle

• A star that is slowly cooling and fading away

• A star that is increasing in brightness due to nuclear fusion

Describe how the spectrum of a star can provide information about its composition.

• The spectrum shows the star's size.

• The spectrum reveals the star's temperature.

• The spectrum displays absorption lines that indicate the elements present.

• The spectrum indicates the star's age.

What is the primary factor that determines whether a star will become a supernova?

• Its temperature

• Its mass

• Its distance from Earth

• Its age

How does nuclear fusion in stars create heavier elements?

• By splitting lighter elements into heavier ones

• By combining lighter elements into heavier ones

• By cooling down lighter elements

• By evaporating lighter elements

Explain the role of gravity in the formation of stars.

• Gravity disperses gas and dust, preventing star formation.

• Gravity pulls hydrogen gas and dust together to form helium

• Gravity has no role in star formation.

• Gravity only affects stars after they are fully formed.

Discuss the evidence that supports the claim that nuclear fusion occurs in the sun.

• The sun's surface temperature is too low for nuclear fusion.

• The sun emits energy consistent with nuclear fusion reactions.

• The sun's light is too dim for nuclear fusion.

• The sun's gravity is too weak for nuclear fusion.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.9-10.8

CCSS.W.9-10.1

Which process is responsible for the energy produced by the Sun?

• Gravitational collapse

• Nuclear fission

• Nuclear fusion

• Chemical reactions

This type of reaction occurs when light (small) nuclei combine to form a larger, single nucleus.

• Fission
• Fusion
• single displacement
• double displacement