1. What is the primary source of energy in a main-sequence star?
Nuclear fusion
2. How does the mass of a star influence its life cycle?
It decides whether the star goes supernova and forms a black hole/neutron star, or becomes a white dwarf (like a star with similar mass of the sun). The difference is because the force of gravity is stronger oj higher mass stars
3. What is a protostar, and how does it form?
It is the first stage of a star, when nuclear fusion has started. It is before radiation pressure=gravitational force. Its formed when a cloud of gas or dust, a nebula, collapses, forming high density and temperature areas
4. At what stage in a star's life cycle does nuclear fusion begin in its core?
Protostar? Or main sequence
5. What is the significance of the main-sequence stage in a star's life cycle?
It is where the star spends its most time, fusing hydrogen to helium by nuclear fusion. It is the stable phase of the star
6. How do low-mass stars, like red dwarfs, differ from high-mass stars in their evolution?
Low mass stars from red giants, then collapse into white dwarfs, and expel the outer layers, forming a planetry nebula.
High mass stars expand into red (or blue) supergiants, before collapsing in a supernova, forming a neutron star or black hole
7. What forces are at play in balancing a star against gravitational collapse during its main-sequence phase?
Radiation pressure, created by the energy released from nuclear fusion
8. Describe the process of stellar nucleosynthesis and its role in the evolution of a star.
Umm no idea.
9. How do stars like our Sun evolve as they approach the end of their lives?
First, they expand into red giants. Once they can no longer fuse hydrogen or helium, the outer layers are expelled, forming a planetry nebula. The core collapses inot a white dwarf, which will eventually cool to form a black dwarf.
10. What is a planetary nebula, and how does it relate to the later stages of a star's life?
A planetry nebula is what occurs when a red giant expels its outer layers, leaving behind the core (which forms a white dwarf).
11. What are the key characteristics and formation processes of neutron stars and black holes in stellar evolution?
The star must have a mass higher than the chandresekhar limit. This means that gravity is so strong it overcomes electron- degeneracy pressure, causing it to collapse further. Depending on the mass of a star, it will form a neutrons star (lower mass stars, prevented from collapsing by neutron degeneracy pressure), or a black hole.
12. Discuss the role of supernovae in enriching the interstellar medium with heavy elements.
In a supernova, pressures and temperatures become so high that elements heavier than iron can fuse together, forming heavier elements. These are then expelled into space.
13. How do massive stars end their lives compared to lower-mass stars?
They expand into red supergiants, before collapsing due to a supernova. They could form either black holes or neutron stars
14. What differentiates a white dwarf, a neutron star, and a black hole in terms of their formation and properties?
A white dwarf is an incredibly hot, faint star, that does not have any nuclear fusion. It is kept from collapsing by electron degeneracy pressure. Low mass stars form these,
Neutron stars are extremely dense stars, formed when a medium/high mass star collapses. They are kept from collapsing by neutron degeneracy pressure
Black holes are so dense that nothing can escape. They do not emit light. They are formed when high mass stars collapse, and overcome neutron degeneracy pressure.
15. How does the concept of the Chandrasekhar limit influence the evolution of white dwarfs?
If a star has a mass higher than the limit, it will collapse further into a neutron star. If the mass is equal too or lower than, it will not be able to overcome electron degeneracy pressure and will remain a white dwarf
16. What role do binary star systems play in understanding star life cycles?
No idea
17. Describe the key features and processes involved in the formation of a supernova explosion.
The force of gravity overcomes the radiation pressure from nuclear fusion, and causes the star to suddenly collapse, sending a shockwave through the layers. This shockwave bounces off the central core, causing the star to implode
18. How does a star's mass affect the type of supernova it may experience?
Umm not sure
19. What is a gamma-ray burst, and how does it relate to the death of massive stars?
No idea
20. How do astronomers use the study of star life cycles to understand the broader processes of galaxy formation and evolution?
Not sure