What is the life cycle of a star?

Star formation begins when dust and gas starts to gather to form a cloud called nebula. Gravity causes the cloud to spiral and form a Protostar, where gravity accelerates the gas particles, resulting in heat. Once the temperature is high enough, hydrogen gas atoms start to combine together in a process called hydrogen fusion. Nuclear fusion gives out light and more heat, allowing hydrogen atoms to slowly fuse to form helium atoms; this stage is called the Main Sequence. This is the longest stage, in which the star remains until its hydrogen runs out. The next stage of each star depends on its mass; stars like the Sun turn into Red Giants, while larger stars turn into Red Supergiants. In these stages, nuclear fusion continues with helium atoms instead of hydrogen atoms. Once even helium is depleted, Red Giants begin to cool down and eventually turn into White Dwarfs. Red Supergiants explode into Supernovae- after this stage, the mass of the star plays a role again; lighter stars turn into neutron stars; bodies with small size but very high density. Heavier stars collapse completely and become Black Holes; objects with gravity so strong not even light particles can escape it.

Answered by Barbara P. Physics tutor

2791 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What does the half life of radioactive substance mean?


Explain Newton's laws of motion


A coil is connected to a voltmeter. A bar magnet, initially held above the coil, is left to fall into the coil. Explain why the voltmeter shows a reading. How will the reading of the voltmeter be affected if the magnet is dropped from a greater height?


Is momentum a vector or a scalar quantity?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences