P2 - The life cycle of Stars

Protostar
1. Main Sequence Star
  1. Red Super Giant
    1. Supernova
      1. Neutron Star
        The exploding supernova throws the outer layers o dust and gas into space, leaving a very dense core called a neutron star.
      2. Black Hole
        If the star is big enough, it will become a black hole.
      3. Big stars glow brightly gain as they undergo more fusion and expand several times to make elements as heavy as iron. They eventually explode to form a supernova.
    2. The star swells into a red giant if its a small star or a red giant if its a big star. It becomes red because the surface cools.
  2. Red Giant
    1. Planetary Nebula
      1. White Dwarf
        Black Dwarf
        A white dwarf cools down to a black dwarf and eventually disappears.
        This leaves behind a hot, dense solid core called a white dwarf.
      2. A small star like the sun becomes unstable and ejects its outer layer of dust and gas as a planetary nebula.
    2. Eventually the hydrogen begins to run out and heavy elements such as iron are made by the nuclear fusion of helium.
  3. Gravitational energy is converted to heat - temperature rises. When the temperature gets high enough, nuclear fusion occurs, giving out heat and light, forming a star.
  4. The star enters a long, stable period where the heat created provdes an outward pressure to balance the force of gravity. This period is called a main sequence star, lasting billions of years.
2. Stars initially form clouds of dust and gas. The force of gravity makes the gas and dust spiral in together to form a protostar.

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P2 - The life cycle of Stars

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	Created by Abbie Goffin over 7 years ago