space

• what is the order of the lifecycle of a star?

  nebula, protostar, main sequence star,

  red giant, white dwarf, black dwarf

  red super giant, supernova, neutron star/ black hole
• what happens between the nebula and protostar?

  gravity pulls in dust and gas
• what is a nebula?

  cloud of dust and gas
• what happens between a protostar and a main sequence star?

  the temperature rises and the star gets denser, so more particles collide

  hydrogen nuclei undergo nuclear fusion to form helium nuclei - this gives out loads of energy, which keeps the core hot and forms a star
• what is the difference between a red giant and a red super giant?

  red super giants are much bigger, red giants are about the size of our sun
• what happens as a main sequence star?

  long stable period - outward pressure (nuclear fusion) balances inward force (gravity)
• what happens between main sequence star and red giant/ red super giant?

  the hydrogen runs out, and the star swells into a red giant / super giant

  the surface begins to cool (this is why is becomes red)

  fusion of helium, and heavy elements are created in the core
• why does a red giant become a white dwarf?

  the red giant becomes unstable and ejects the outer layer of dust and gas, leaving behind the hot, dense, solid core
• why does a white dwarf become a black dwarf?

  the white dwarf cools and emits less energy, when it no longer emits a significant amount, it is a black dwarf
• what happens to red super giants?

  the glow brightly as they undergo more fusion and expand and contract several times forming heavier elements such as iron. eventually, they explode in a supernova, forming heavier elements than iron and ejects them to form new planets and stars.
• what happens after the supernova?

  the exploding supernova throws outer layer of dust and gas into space, leaving a very dense core - a neutron star. if the star is massive enough, it will become a black hole - a super dense spot in space that not even light can escape from
• what is a black hole?

  a super dense spot in space that not even light can escape from