View source for Low Mass Star

==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
A '''low mass star''' is a [[star]] with up to 3 times the [[mass]] of [[The Sun]].

===About Low Mass Stars===
: '''Low mass stars''' have a different life cycle to [[High Mass Star|high mass stars]] and exist for far longer than [[High Mass Star|high mass stars]].

====Lifecycle====
#[[Nebula]] - A huge cloud of [[gas]] and dust stretching across space which collapses due to [[gravity]] to form [[star]]s.
#[[Protostar]] - A glowing ball of [[gas]] and dust that is not yet hot enough for [[Nuclear Fusion|fusion]] to occur in its core.
#[[Main Sequence Star]] - The longest and most stable period of a [[star]]s life when the outward pressure caused by [[Nuclear Fusion|fusion]] of [[Hydrogen]] in its core is balanced by the inward [[pressure]] caused by [[gravity]].
#[[Red Giant]] - A [[star]] that has run out of [[Hydrogen]] for [[Nuclear Fusion|fusion]] so the [[pressure]]s are no longer balanced and its core collapses under [[gravity]] until the core is hot enough to [[Nuclear Fusion|fuse]] [[Helium]] into more [[massive]] [[element]]s. During this time the outer layers expand as the [[star]] cools but becomes brighter as it becomes much bigger.
#[[White Dwarf]] - A [[star]] which as run out of low [[mass]] [[element]]s to [[Nuclear Fusion|fuse]]. There is no more outward [[pressure]] due to [[Nuclear Fusion|fusion]] so the core collapses due to [[gravity]] into a ball of [[Iron]] and continues to glow for millions of years as it [[radiation|radiates]] its [[Thermal Energy Store|thermal energy]].
#[[Black Dwarf]] - Once a [[White Dwarf]] has cooled enough it will no longer glow and become a [[Black Dwarf]]. These [[star]]s do not yet exist because the [[Universe]] has not existed long enough for [[White Dwarf|White Dwarves]] to cool.