Life Cycle of a High Mass Star

• What is the classification for a high-mass star based on its mass?

  Greater than 8 times the mass of the Sun
• What happens to a high-mass star before it explodes?

  It becomes a red supergiant
• What do moderately massive stars eventually become?

  Neutron stars
• What is the fate of the most massive stars in the Universe?

  They become black holes
• What are the stages of evolution for a high-mass star?

  1. Nebula
  2. Protostar
  3. Main sequence
  4. Red supergiant
  5. Supernova
  6. Neutron star or black hole

  
• What process does a high-mass star undergo to become a red supergiant?

  Expansion and cooling of outer layers
• What is produced during the fusion process in high-mass stars?

  Elements up to iron
• What occurs when the iron core of a high-mass star collapses?

  The outer shell is blown out in a supernova
• What happens to the neutron core if its mass exceeds three solar masses?

  It collapses to form a black hole
• How does a protostar form from a nebula?

  Through gravitational collapse of matter
• What balances the inward gravitational pressure in a main sequence star?

  Outward radiation and gas pressure
• What is the sequence of events from the formation of a massive star to its death?

  Nebula, protostar, main sequence, red supergiant, supernova, neutron star/black hole

  
• What is the result of the shockwave explosion during a supernova?

  The outer layers of the star are expelled
• What is the remnant of a star after a supernova explosion?

  Neutron star or black hole
• What is the primary energy source for a star during its main sequence stage?

  Nuclear fusion of hydrogen to helium
• What happens to a star's outer layers when hydrogen runs out?

  They expand and cool
• How does the lifecycle of a high-mass star differ from that of a low-mass star?

  High-mass stars fuse elements up to iron