Difference between revisions of "Lifecycle of a Star"
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==Key Stage 4== | ==Key Stage 4== | ||
===Meaning=== | ===Meaning=== | ||
| − | The '''lifecycle of a star''' is the set of distinct | + | The '''lifecycle of a star''' is the set of distinct stages in a [[star]]s existence marked by its composition, behaviour and colour. |
===About The Lifecycle of Stars=== | ===About The Lifecycle of Stars=== | ||
| + | : The stages in the '''lifecycle of a star''' depends upon the [[mass]] of the [[star]]. More [[massive]] [[star]]s tend to have shorter lives and more violent deaths. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Low Mass Star==== | ||
| + | #[[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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====High Mass Star==== | ||
| + | #[[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 Super Giant]] - A [[massive]] [[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 the largest type of [[star]] in the [[universe]]. | ||
| + | #[[Supernova]] - When a [[massive]] [[star]] runs out of [[Helium]] to [[Nuclear Fusion|fuse]] the core collapses rapidly. Eventually the [[element]]s collide with one another and rebound outwards into an explosion known as a [[Supernova]] which can be brighter than all the other [[star]]s in a [[galaxy]] put together. | ||
| + | # | ||
| + | #*[[Neutron Star]] - The [[element]]s in the core become packed so tightly that all the [[proton]]s become [[neutron]]s and the [[star]] becomes one giant [[atom]] around 20km across made of only [[neutron]]s. | ||
| + | #*[[Black Hole]] - The most [[massive]] [[star]]s collapse into a point so small that the [[gravity]] becomes so intense that not even [[light]] can escape. This is a [[Black Hole]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 21:00, 7 April 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
The lifecycle of a star is the set of distinct stages in a stars existence marked by its composition, behaviour and colour.
About The Lifecycle of Stars
- The stages in the lifecycle of a star depends upon the mass of the star. More massive stars tend to have shorter lives and more violent deaths.
Low Mass Star
- Nebula - A huge cloud of gas and dust stretching across space which collapses due to gravity to form stars.
- Protostar - A glowing ball of gas and dust that is not yet hot enough for fusion to occur in its core.
- Main Sequence Star - The longest and most stable period of a stars life when the outward pressure caused by 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 fusion so the pressures are no longer balanced and its core collapses under gravity until the core is hot enough to fuse Helium into more massive elements. 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 elements to fuse. There is no more outward pressure due to fusion so the core collapses due to gravity into a ball of Iron and continues to glow for millions of years as it radiates its thermal energy.
- Black Dwarf - Once a White Dwarf has cooled enough it will no longer glow and become a Black Dwarf. These stars do not yet exist because the Universe has not existed long enough for White Dwarves to cool.
High Mass Star
- Nebula - A huge cloud of gas and dust stretching across space which collapses due to gravity to form stars.
- Protostar - A glowing ball of gas and dust that is not yet hot enough for fusion to occur in its core.
- Main Sequence Star - The longest and most stable period of a stars life when the outward pressure caused by fusion of Hydrogen in its core is balanced by the inward pressure caused by gravity.
- Red Super Giant - A massive star that has run out of Hydrogen for fusion so the pressures are no longer balanced and its core collapses under gravity until the core is hot enough to fuse Helium into more massive elements. During this time the outer layers expand as the star cools but becomes brighter as it becomes the largest type of star in the universe.
- Supernova - When a massive star runs out of Helium to fuse the core collapses rapidly. Eventually the elements collide with one another and rebound outwards into an explosion known as a Supernova which can be brighter than all the other stars in a galaxy put together.
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- Neutron Star - The elements in the core become packed so tightly that all the protons become neutrons and the star becomes one giant atom around 20km across made of only neutrons.
- Black Hole - The most massive stars collapse into a point so small that the gravity becomes so intense that not even light can escape. This is a Black Hole.