A STAR IS BORN
What do we call a large cloud of gas and dust where stars can form?
A nebula
What stage will the Sun enter when its outer layers expand after its main sequence stage?
The red giant stage
What is the powerful explosion that can happen near the end of a massive star’s life?
A supernova
Fill in the missing stage: Nebula → ______ → Main sequence star.
Protostar
Your friend says, “I studied for 40 hours last night.” What slang word means “That’s a lie”?
Cap
What force pulls gas and dust together to begin forming a star?
Gravity
What enormous stage can a massive star enter after its main sequence stage?
The red supergiant stage
What object has gravity so strong that even light cannot escape from inside its boundary?
A black hole
Fill in the missing event for a very massive star that forms a black hole: Red supergiant → ______ → Black hole.
Supernova
You confidently answer the hardest question correctly. What imaginary “cool points” did you just gain?
Aura points
During the main sequence stage, hydrogen nuclei combine to form which element?
Helium
A star’s surface changes from yellow to red as it expands. Is its surface getting hotter or cooler?
Will our Sun eventually become a black hole? Explain.
No
The Sun does not have enough mass.
A hot, glowing object is still forming and has not started sustained hydrogen fusion. Is it a protostar or a main sequence star? Explain
A protostar, because sustained hydrogen fusion has not started in its core
You forgot to study, and the teacher says, “Put your notes away.” Finish the expression meaning you’re in trouble: “I’m ______.”
Cooked
Gravity pulls a stable star inward. What balances that inward pull?
Outward pressure, supported by energy released through fusion
Star A begins with about the Sun’s mass. Star B begins with 15 times the Sun’s mass. Which is more likely to become a red supergiant?
Star B, because it begins with much more mass
For a very massive star that forms a black hole, what happens to its core?
The core collapses inward under its own gravity
Star A has the Sun’s mass. Star B has 20 times the Sun’s mass. Which will usually have a shorter life, and why?
Star B. Massive stars use their fuel much faster.
What slang word means charm, especially the ability to flirt successfully?
Rizz
If a star’s outward pressure becomes too weak to balance gravity, what will happen to its core?
Gravity will cause the core to contract, or squeeze inward.
What change in a Sun-like star’s core causes it to leave the main sequence and begin becoming a red giant?
Its core runs low on hydrogen fuel. The core contracts, and the outer layers expand.
Scientists cannot see light coming from inside a black hole. Name one way they can find evidence that it is there.
They can observe nearby stars moving around an unseen object, or hot gas glowing as it falls toward the black hole.
Put these stages in order for a very massive star that forms a black hole: Supernova, protostar, black hole, nebula, red supergiant, main sequence star.
Nebula → Protostar → Main sequence star → Red supergiant → Supernova → Black hole.
Which NBA player’s height helped popularize the “six-seven” meme?
LaMelo Ball
he is 6 feet 7 inches tall.