The Life Cycle of a Star

AQA seperate science - physics : 2B electricity and atoms.

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  • The life cycle of starts
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  • Created by: Ellie
  • Created on: 17-04-14 16:15
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  • The Life Cycle of Stars
    • 1) Stars initially form from clouds of dust and gas. The force of gravity makes the gas and dust spiral together to form a PRO STAR
      • 2) Gravitational energy is converted to heat energy so the temperature rises. This causes nuclear fusion which creates heat and light. this makes a main sequence STAR
        • 3) The star then enters a long stable period. The star uses up all of the energy created in nuclear fusion. This star stays stable for hundreds of years
          • 4) When the hydrogen does run out other elements like iron form and cause the star to swell. Big stars turn into SUPER RED GIANTS. smaller stars turn into RED GIANTS
            • RED GIANTS become  unstable and eject their outer layer of dust and gas as a PLANETARY NEBULA
              • This leaves behind a hot, dense solid core. A WHITE DWARF, which cools down to a BLACK DWARF and disappears
            • RED SUPER- GIANTS start to glow brightly and undergo more fusion and expand and contract several times. This causes elements like iron to form. Eventually they explode in a SUPERNOVA, forming heavy elements which are ejected into the universe to form planets and stars.
              • The exploding supernova throws the outer layers of gas and dust into space leaving a very dense core called a NEUTRON STAR or if the star is big enough a BLACK HOLE
  • 4) When the hydrogen does run out other elements like iron form and cause the star to swell. Big stars turn into SUPER RED GIANTS. smaller stars turn into RED GIANTS
    • RED GIANTS become  unstable and eject their outer layer of dust and gas as a PLANETARY NEBULA
      • This leaves behind a hot, dense solid core. A WHITE DWARF, which cools down to a BLACK DWARF and disappears
    • RED SUPER- GIANTS start to glow brightly and undergo more fusion and expand and contract several times. This causes elements like iron to form. Eventually they explode in a SUPERNOVA, forming heavy elements which are ejected into the universe to form planets and stars.
      • The exploding supernova throws the outer layers of gas and dust into space leaving a very dense core called a NEUTRON STAR or if the star is big enough a BLACK HOLE

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