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WorksheetsStellar Life Cycles
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Most stars develop from very massive nebulae called...
a)
giant molecular clouds
b)
protostars
c)
red giants
d)
planetary nebulae
2.
When a young, developing star becomes massive enough and dense enough, the process of _______ begins.
a)
H --> He fusion
b)
He --> C fusion
c)
He --> C --> O fusion
d)
fission
3.
When stars are fusing hydrogen into helium, and are neither expanding nor contracting, they are said to be...
a)
dying
b)
in hydrostatic equilibrium
c)
white dwarfs
d)
red hypergiants
4.
When a large enough mass of instellar gas compresses, it begins to rotate. At this point, a __________ has formed.
a)
giant molecular cloud
b)
protostar
c)
red giant
d)
planetary nebulae
5.
Which type of star has the longest life span?
a)
A star of 10 solar masses
b)
A star of 1 solar mass
c)
A star of 0.1 solar masses
d)
A star of 50 solar masses
6.
The smallest main sequence stars are called...
a)
red dwarfs
b)
white dwarfs
c)
green dwarfs
d)
red giants
7.
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)
a)
white dwarf
b)
main sequence
c)
neutron star
d)
supernova
8.
The smallest, densest stars in the universe are called...
a)
protostars
b)
white dwarfs
c)
neutron stars
d)
main sequence stars
9.
For sun-sized stars, once the helium is used up, there will be a ___________ , eventually forming a _____________ and a _______________ .
a)
helium flash; planetary nebula; white dwarf
b)
helium flash; supernova; black hole
c)
supernova; neutron star; incredible gravitational pull
d)
supernova; white dwarf; planetary nebula
10.
Stars in the main sequence neither explode nor collapse in on themselves. What two forces hold the star in balance during this part of its life span.
a)
gravitational pressure pushes in; thermal pressure pushes out
b)
gravitational pressure pushes out; thermal pressure pushes in
c)
cosmic pressure pushes in; thermal pressure pushes out
d)
cosmic pressure pushes out; thermal pressure pushes in
11.
When most of the hydrogen in the core of the star has been fused into helium, the star...
a)
begins to expand, forming a red giant
b)
begins to contract, forming a white dwarf
c)
collapses in on itself, forming a black hole
d)
explodes in a supernova
12.
A star the size of the sun has a life span of...
a)
About 10 Billion Years
b)
About 10 Million Years
c)
About 10 Trillion Years
d)
About 100 Million Years
13.
When the helium core of a red giant heats up enough, it...
a)
explodes
b)
collapses forming a black hole
c)
begins fusion of He --> C --> O
d)
explodes in a supernova
14.
________ are stars that are in the prime of life, fusing hydrogen to helium in their cores.
a)
Main sequence stars
b)
Red giants
c)
White dwarfs
d)
Neutron stars
15.
During a supernova, which of the following events occurs?
a)
The star of the supernova gets dimmer
b)
Only small elements (atomic number < 6) are generated
c)
Massive amounts of gamma rays and cosmic rays are released
d)
a white dwarf forms
16.
Fusion in stars works by...
a)
breaking small nuclei apart into smaller nuclei, converting a small amount of mass to a tremendous amount of energy
b)
binding small nuclei into larger nuclei, converting a small amount of mass to a tremendous amount of energy
c)
breaking large nuclei apart into smaller nuclei, converting a small amount of mass to a tremendous amount of energy
d)
breaking large nuclei apart into smaller nuclei, converting a small amount of energy to a tremendous amount of mass
17.
Which of the following is true about main sequence stars?
a)
Main sequence stars are all about the same size.
b)
Main sequence stars all have about the same luminosity
c)
Main sequence stars create energy the same way.
d)
Main sequence stars are all about the same color.
18.
During star formation, some of the gas and dust does not become part of the new star. This rotating circle of material is called the ____________ and it will eventually become __________ .
a)
accretion disk; planets
b)
accretion disk; other stars
c)
evolution disk; planets
d)
evolution disk; other stars
19.
A protostar is luminous (gives off light), due to...
a)
gravitational compression and heating
b)
H --> He Fusion
c)
spinning speed
d)
the triple alpha process
20.
Not all interstellar gas forms into stars. What must happen for star formation to begin?
a)
A supernova or other gravitational change pushes some of the gasses together
b)
A pulsar ignites swamp gas on Venus, pushing some of the gasses together
c)
A black hole pops, causing gas to be compressed.
d)
The planetary nebula of a white dwarf compresses surrounding gasses to form a new star.
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