Star Life Cycle and Stellar Evolution Quiz

What primary process allows stars to generate energy and prevent gravitational collapse?

• Chemical combustion
• Nuclear fusion
• Thermal radiation
• Gravitational compression

In which type of astronomical environment do stars initially form?

• Stellar clusters
• Black holes
• Empty space
• Nebula

What determines how long a star will live and burn?

• Its initial temperature
• Its total mass
• Its distance from Earth
• Its color

What happens to a star's core when it runs out of hydrogen?

• It immediately explodes
• It begins to collapse and increase in temperature
• It transforms into a planet
• It completely disappears

What is the fate of a low-mass star like our Sun?

• Immediate supernova
• Becoming a white dwarf
• Transforming into a black hole
• Completely disintegrating

What element marks the end of fusion processes for the largest stars?

• Helium
• Carbon
• Oxygen
• Iron

What is a planetary nebula?

• A planet-forming region
• An expanding cloud of dust and gas from a dying star
• A type of galaxy
• A region of intense stellar radiation

How do high-mass stars differ from low-mass stars in their life cycle?

• They burn fuel more slowly
• They live much longer
• They burn fuel more rapidly and have shorter lifespans
• They do not undergo fusion

What triggers a supernova explosion?

• Complete hydrogen depletion
• Iron core collapse
• Solar wind interference
• Random stellar events

What percentage of a star is typically composed of hydrogen?

• About 25%
• About 50%
• More than 50%
• Less than 10%