6.2.4

Life Cycle of a Star Much Bigger than the Sun

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Life Cycle of a Star Much Bigger than the Sun

A star's life cycle depends on its size. All stars begin their life cycle like the Sun. Gravity pulls nebulae (more than 1 nebula) together to form a protostar, which becomes a main sequence star. If a star is much bigger than the Sun, its life cycle looks like this:

Illustrative background for Red supergiantIllustrative background for Red supergiant ?? "content

Red supergiant

  • Nuclear fusion changes more and more of the star’s mass into energy.
  • The star expands into a red supergiant.
Illustrative background for SupernovaIllustrative background for Supernova ?? "content

Supernova

  • The largest stars explode in a supernova.
  • A supernova produces elements heavier than iron and scatters them throughout the universe.
  • The nebula from a supernova may form new stars with orbiting planets.
Illustrative background for Black hole or neutron starIllustrative background for Black hole or neutron star ?? "content

Black hole or neutron star

  • The supernova leaves behind either a black hole or a neutron star.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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