Life Cycle of a Star Quiz
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5 questions, one answer each
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1. What force causes stars to form from clouds of dust and gas?
- A. Magnetic force
- B. Gravitational attraction
- C. Electrostatic repulsion
- D. Nuclear force
2. What is happening in a star during the main sequence?
- A. Helium is fusing into carbon
- B. Hydrogen nuclei are fusing into helium, balanced against gravity
- C. The star is exploding as a supernova
- D. The star's core is cooling and shrinking rapidly
3. What is the correct life cycle order for a star similar to the Sun?
- A. Main sequence, red supergiant, supernova, black hole
- B. Main sequence, red giant, white dwarf, black dwarf
- C. Red giant, main sequence, neutron star, black dwarf
- D. Main sequence, white dwarf, red giant, supernova
4. What is the correct life cycle order for a star much bigger than the Sun?
- A. Main sequence, red giant, white dwarf, black dwarf
- B. Main sequence, red supergiant, supernova, neutron star or black hole
- C. Red supergiant, main sequence, white dwarf, supernova
- D. Supernova, main sequence, red supergiant, black dwarf
5. A student says all the elements in the universe, including gold, were formed by ordinary hydrogen-to-helium fusion in stars. What is wrong with this claim?
- A. No elements are formed in stars at all
- B. Elements heavier than iron, such as gold, require the extreme conditions of a supernova, not ordinary fusion
- C. Only hydrogen and helium exist in the universe
- D. Gold is not actually a naturally occurring element