Lesson Worksheet: Stellar Evolution Physics
In this worksheet, we will practice describing how stars of different masses develop over the course of billions of years.
Q2:
For approximately how long does a star like the Sun remain a main sequence star?
- A100 million years
- B100 billion years
- C10 million years
- D10 billion years
- E1 trillion years
Q3:
Which of the following is the correct description of a black dwarf star?
- AA black dwarf star is an extremely dense object that is made up only of neutrons.
- BA black dwarf star is an object that has been left after a supernova in which all of the matter has been compressed into a single point. The gravitational field is so strong that not even light can escape.
- CA black dwarf star is a type of star that is not massive enough to trigger nuclear fusion in its core, and so the only light it emits comes from its heat.
- DA black dwarf star is a white dwarf star that has cooled so that it no longer emits any light.
- EA black dwarf star is a type of star that only emits gamma radiation and does not emit any visible light.
Q4:
Which of the following is the correct description of a nebula?
- AA nebula is a collection of billions of stars.
- BA nebula is a dense object that is made up only of neutrons.
- CA nebula is a collection of galaxies.
- DA nebula is a cloud of gas and dust within a galaxy.
- EA nebula is a fast-spinning neutron star.
Q5:
The diagram shows nine possible stages in the evolution of a star. For a star that will eventually become a neutron star, give the correct stages in the correct order, starting from a nebula.
- A(i), (h), (d), (e), (a)
- B(i), (h), (g), (e), (a)
- C(i), (g), (h), (e), (a)
- D(i), (b), (h), (e), (a)
- E(i), (g), (h), (d), (a)
Q6:
The diagram shows six stages in the evolution of a star that has a mass similar to that of the Sun. What is the correct order of the stages?
- A(e), (c), (d), (a), (f), (b)
- B(e), (c), (d), (a), (b), (f)
- C(e), (d), (c), (a), (b), (f)
- D(e), (c), (d), (b), (a), (f)
- E(f), (d), (c), (a), (b), (e)
Q7:
Which of the following is the correct description of a supernova?
- AA supernova is a cataclysmic explosion that occurs when the core of a massive star collapses. Supernovas are so bright that they can outshine an entire galaxy for weeks.
- BA supernova is a cataclysmic explosion that occurs when a black hole exceeds a mass 100 times that of the Sun.
- CA supernova is a cataclysmic explosion that occurs when two galaxies collide.
- DA supernova is a cataclysmic explosion that occurs when two neutron stars collide.
- EA supernova is a cataclysmic explosion that occurs when a main sequence star like the Sun runs out of hydrogen to use for nuclear fusion.
Q8:
Alpha Orionis is a star in the constellation of Orion approximately 724 light-years away. Its mass is 12 times that of the Sun. Observations of Alpha Orionis suggest that it may explode as a supernova in less than 100,000 years. What type of a star is Alpha Orionis?
- AA red giant
- BA white dwarf star
- CA main sequence star
- DA red supergiant
- EA neutron star
Q9:
The Sun is currently using hydrogen for nuclear fusion in its core. Eventually, it will run out of hydrogen while heavier elements, such as helium, will undergo fusion instead. This will cause the Sun to expand and become a red giant. What will happen after the Sun has run out of heavier elements that it uses for fusion?
- AThe Sun will explode as a supernova. The outer layers of the Sun will be ejected and the core will become a black hole.
- BThe Sun will explode as a supernova. The outer layers of the Sun will be ejected and the core will become a neutron star.
- CNuclear fusion will stop in the core and because of its gravity, the Sun will collapse and become a white dwarf star.
- DNuclear fusion will stop in the core and because of its gravity, the Sun will collapse and become a neutron star.
- ENuclear fusion will stop in the core and because of its gravity, the Sun will collapse and become a black hole.
Q10:
The diagram shows nine possible stages in the evolution of a star. For a star that will eventually become a black hole, give the correct stages in the correct order, starting from a nebula.
- A(e), (i), (h), (a), (b)
- B(e), (i), (g), (a), (b)
- C(e), (i), (a), (h), (b)
- D(e), (f), (a), (c), (b)
- E(e), (f), (a), (h), (b)
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