IGCSE›Edexcel IGCSE Physics›Mind mapsStellar EvolutionEdexcel IGCSE Physics: Mind mapStudy pack PDFAlso for this subtopic:Revision notesFlashcardsSubtopic testCover factsColourColour shows surface temperatureBlue and white: hottestYellow (the Sun): intermediateOrange and red: coolestSun-like starsNebula: dust and gas contract under gravityMain sequence: fuses hydrogen into heliumRed giant: outer layers expand and coolWhite dwarf: small, dense, hot coreMassive starsNebula → main sequence, burns fuel fasterRed supergiant once hydrogen runs outSupernova: explosive collapseEnds as neutron star or black holeStarslife cyclesHRBrightnessAbsolute magnitude: true brightnessStars imagined at a standard distanceRemoves the effect of distanceHR diagramTemperature on x-axis, luminosity on y-axisMain sequence: diagonal bandGiants: top right, cool but brightWhite dwarfs: bottom left, hot but dimExam tipsBlue/white hotter, red coolerSun-like stars never become supernovaeMassive stars never end as white dwarfs