Life Cycle & Classification Of Stars
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Energy is released in stars by:
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Nuclear fusion
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Nuclear fission
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Gravitational attraction
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Explore the Life Cycle & Classification of Stars through key concepts such as nuclear fusion, the elemental composition of stars, and their evolutionary stages. This quiz assesses understanding of stellar phenomena, from nebula beginnings to the dramatic ends of massive stars as supernovae, relevant for learners in astronomy.
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- 2.
What is the main element in stars?
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Helium
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Carbon
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Hydrogen
Correct Answer
A. HydrogenExplanation
Stars are primarily composed of hydrogen gas. This is because hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and provides the fuel for nuclear fusion reactions that occur within stars. These fusion reactions release immense amounts of energy, which is what allows stars to shine brightly. While other elements, such as helium and carbon, can also be present in stars, hydrogen is the main element that fuels their existence.Rate this question:
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- 3.
In about 4 billion years, what will our sun become?
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Red dwarf
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Red giant
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Red super giant
Correct Answer
A. Red giantExplanation
In about 4 billion years, our sun will exhaust its hydrogen fuel and start burning helium, causing it to expand and become a red giant. During this phase, the sun will increase in size and become much brighter, potentially engulfing the inner planets, including Earth. This transformation is a natural stage in the life cycle of a star like our sun. A red dwarf is a smaller and cooler star, while a red supergiant is a much larger and more massive star, so they are not the correct answer in this case.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Massive stars sometimes explode at the end of their life. What is this called?
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Nebula
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Supernova
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Black hole
Correct Answer
A. SupernovaExplanation
Massive stars, which have a much larger mass than the Sun, undergo a violent explosion at the end of their life known as a supernova. During a supernova, the star releases an enormous amount of energy and matter into space, creating a bright and powerful explosion that can outshine an entire galaxy. This explosion also disperses heavy elements and enriches the surrounding space with these elements, providing the building blocks for future star formation. Therefore, the correct answer is supernova.Rate this question:
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- 5.
All stars begin as:
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Nebula
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Supernova
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White dwarf
Correct Answer
A. NebulaExplanation
Stars begin as nebulae, which are large clouds of gas and dust in space. These nebulae are composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, along with small amounts of other elements. Over time, the gravitational forces within the nebula cause it to collapse inward, leading to the formation of a protostar. As the protostar continues to contract, its core becomes dense and hot enough to initiate nuclear fusion, resulting in the birth of a star. Therefore, the correct answer is "Nebula."Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which star color burns the hottest?
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Yellow
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Red
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Blue
Correct Answer
A. BlueExplanation
Blue stars burn the hottest because they have the highest surface temperature. The color of a star is determined by its surface temperature, with hotter stars appearing blue and cooler stars appearing red. Blue stars have temperatures of over 10,000 Kelvin, while red stars have temperatures below 3,500 Kelvin. The higher temperature of blue stars means that they emit more energy and burn hotter than stars of other colors.Rate this question:
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- 7.
What by-product is created when a star consumes fuel?
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Hydrogen
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Helium
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Lithium
Correct Answer
A. HeliumExplanation
When a star consumes fuel, it undergoes a process called nuclear fusion in its core. During this process, hydrogen atoms combine to form helium atoms, releasing a tremendous amount of energy. Therefore, helium is the by-product created when a star consumes fuel.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What size stars have longer lifespans:
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Small star (smaller than our sun)
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Medium star (size of our sun)
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Large star (larger than our sun)
Correct Answer
A. Small star (smaller than our sun)Explanation
Smaller stars have longer lifespans compared to larger stars. This is because smaller stars, such as red dwarfs, burn their fuel at a slower rate than larger stars. The main factor determining a star's lifespan is its mass. Smaller stars have less mass and therefore less gravitational pressure, resulting in slower fusion reactions and a longer lifespan. In contrast, larger stars burn through their fuel more quickly due to higher temperatures and pressures, leading to a shorter lifespan.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following are ways we classify stars?
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Mass
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Color
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Both
Correct Answer
A. BothExplanation
Stars can be classified based on their mass and color. Mass classification categorizes stars into different groups based on their size and weight, ranging from dwarf stars to supergiant stars. Color classification, on the other hand, classifies stars based on their temperature, with cooler stars appearing red and hotter stars appearing blue. Therefore, both mass and color are used as ways to classify stars.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What is NOT a known type of star?
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Blue super giant
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Green giant
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Brown dwarf
Correct Answer
A. Green giantExplanation
A green giant is not a known type of star. Stars come in various colors, including blue super giants and brown dwarfs, but green giants do not exist. The color of a star is determined by its temperature, and green is not within the range of possible colors for stars. Blue super giants are massive and extremely hot stars, while brown dwarfs are failed stars that are not massive enough to sustain nuclear fusion.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Feb 02, 2015Quiz Created by
Mnicolella11
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