The life cycle of stars (AQA GCSE Physics): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
15 cards from this deck
Nebula
Nebula
Cloud of dust and hydrogen gas
Process that makes stars shine
Process that makes stars shine
Nuclear fusion
Core temp. needed for fusion to begin
Core temp. needed for fusion to begin
10 million degrees Celsius
Low-mass star definition
Low-mass star definition
Star with up to 4 times the Sun's mass
When the Sun formed
When the Sun formed
4.6 billion years ago
Main sequence stage - what fusion happens
Main sequence stage - what fusion happens
Hydrogen turns into helium
Force balance in main sequence stars
Force balance in main sequence stars
Gravity inwards vs fusion energy outwards
Red giant characteristics
Red giant characteristics
Star expands, outer layers cool and turn red
White dwarf characteristics
White dwarf characteristics
Very small and dense
High-mass star lifespan compared to low-mass
High-mass star lifespan compared to low-mass
Much shorter lives
Red supergiant vs red giant
Red supergiant vs red giant
Much bigger than red giants
Supernova
Supernova
Massive explosion when high-mass star collapses
Neutron star forms when...
Neutron star forms when...
Remaining core less than 4 times Sun's mass
Black hole forms when...
Black hole forms when...
Remaining core more massive (after supernova)
Origin of heavy elements like iron and gold
Origin of heavy elements like iron and gold
Created in stars, spread by supernovae