The Life Cycle of Stars and the Universe

These flashcards cover key terms related to the life cycle of stars and concepts about the universe's structure and expansion.

Acceleration

How quickly you're speeding up.

Nebula

A cloud of gas where stars initially form.

Nuclear Fusion

Process in which high-temperature particles collide to form helium and release energy.

Main Sequence Star

A long stable period in a star's life caused by nuclear fusion.

Red Giant

A stage in a star's evolution when hydrogen runs out and the star swells.

White Dwarf

The remnant core of a star that has shed its outer layers.

Black Dwarf

The final stage of a star that has cooled down and no longer emits light.

Supernova

An explosion that occurs at the end of a star's life cycle, forming heavier elements.

Neutron Star

A very dense star that may form after a supernova if the core remnant is quite massive.

Gravity

The force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun.

Red Shift

An increase in wavelength of light from galaxies, suggesting they are moving away from us.

Big Bang Theory

The leading explanation for the origin of the universe, stating that it started from an extremely dense and hot state.

Dark Matter

A form of matter that does not emit light or energy, helping to hold galaxies together.

Dark Energy

The unknown form of energy responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe.