What is the life cycle of a low mass star?

For low-mass stars (left hand side), after the helium has fused into carbon, the core collapses again. As the core collapses, the outer layers of the star are expelled. A planetary nebula is formed by the outer layers. The core remains as a white dwarf and eventually cools to become a black dwarf.

How will a low mass star end its life cycle?

Low- and medium- mass stars burn cool and last for billions of years. These stars end when they gradually shed off their outermost layers. For stars much larger and hotter than our Sun, the ending will be a spectacular explosion called a supernova. All stars start in a large cloud of dust and gas called a nebula.

How does the life cycle of a low mass stars differ from a high mass star?

Both, a low mass Star and a High mass Star will Start off with fusing hydrogen into Helium, though a high mass Star will burn it faster because of increased pressure and temperature in the core. A second difference is the ability to create heavier elements.

What is the sequence of evolution for low mass stars?

The exact stages of evolutions are: Subgiant Branch (SGB) – hydrogen shell burning – outer layers swell. Red Giant Branch – helium ash core compresses – increased hydrogen shell burning. First Dredge Up – expanding atmosphere cools star – stirs carbon, nitrogen and oxygen upward – star heats up.

Why does a high mass star evolve differently from a low mass star?

mass. Why does a high-mass star evolve differently from a low-mass star? It can fuse additional elements because its core can get hotter. protostar, main sequence, red giant, white dwarf.

What is the sequence of a low mass star in order?

Very Low Mass Stars: M < 0.4 M. Low Mass Stars: 0.4 MSun < M < 4 M. Medium Mass Stars: 4 MSun < M < 8 M. High Mass Stars: M > 8 M.

What are the 6 stages of a low mass star?

Low mass star

• Main Sequence. Low mass stars spend billions of years fusing hydrogen to helium in their cores via the proton-proton chain.
• Red Giant. When hydrogen fusion can no longer happen in the core, gravity begins to collapse the core again.
• Planetary Nebula.
• White Dwarf.

What are the 5 stages in order in the life cycle of a low mass star?

What is the final stage of a low mass star quizlet?

Explanation: A star that lives 10 billion years is a low-mass star. Its final stage of evolution is a white dwarf. A star is on the horizontal branch of the HR diagram.

What is the final stage of a low mass star?

For low mass stars, this is the final stage of their lifetime in which they generate energy via fusion. Once the helium and hydrogen shell fusion uses up all of the available fuel, the star’s life is effectively over. However, the star will still leave behind two visible remnants.

What are the stages of the life cycle of a high mass star?

A star’s life cycle is determined by its mass–the larger its mass, the shorter its life. High-mass stars usually have five stages in their life cycles. A star consists of two gases–hydrogen and helium. During the first life-cycle phase of a high-mass star, the hydrogen in the core burns until only helium is left.

How long do low mass stars live for?

Very massive stars, like those in the Trapezium in Orion, will only last a million years or less. Low-mass stars can survive for tens of billions of years or more. Stars more massive than the Sun not only burn out more quickly, but they burn much hotter and brighter.

How does a star mass affect its lifetime?

A star’s life expectancy depends on its mass. Generally, the more massive the star, the faster it burns up its fuel supply, and the shorter its life. The most massive stars can burn out and explode in a supernova after only a few million years of fusion.