Star Formation and Evolution Concepts

What is the initial stage of a star's formation?

• Protostar

• Stellar Nebula

• Red Giant

• White Dwarf

What process must occur for a protostar to become a star?

• Gravitational collapse

• Nuclear fission of hydrogen

• Nuclear fusion of hydrogen

• Expansion into a nebula

What forces are balanced in a main sequence star?

• Outward pressure from fusion and inward pressure from gravity

• Outward pressure from gravity and inward pressure from fusion

• Outward pressure from heat and inward pressure from light

• Outward pressure from light and inward pressure from heat

Up to which element can nuclear fusion occur in the core of a red giant star?

• Hydrogen

• Helium

• Carbon

• Iron

What happens to a smaller star when its hydrogen fuel begins to run out?

• It immediately collapses into a white dwarf.

• It expands into a red giant.

• It explodes as a supernova.

• It becomes a black hole.

What is the final stage in the life cycle of a smaller star after it has cooled completely?

• Neutron Star

• Black Hole

• Black Dwarf

• Supernova

How does the main sequence lifetime of a massive star compare to that of a smaller star?

• Massive stars have a longer main sequence life.

• Massive stars have a shorter main sequence life.

• Both have the same main sequence life.

• Massive stars do not have a main sequence stage.

What event occurs when a super red giant star collapses after its fusion processes stop?

• Formation of a black dwarf

• A planetary nebula

• A supernova

• A white dwarf

What types of elements are created during a supernova explosion?

• Only hydrogen and helium

• Elements up to iron

• Elements heavier than iron

• Only light elements

Under what condition does a black hole form from the remnant of a supernova?

• If the neutron star has a very low mass.

• If the neutron star has a sufficiently high mass.

• If the star cools down completely.

• If the star expands into a red giant.