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The photograph shows a nebula and many stars - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2011 - Paper 1
Question 5
The photograph shows a nebula and many stars. (i) A nebula is a cloud of gas and dust from which stars are formed. Describe the energy changes involved when a main ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The photograph shows a nebula and many stars - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2011 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the energy changes involved when a main sequence star forms from gas and dust.
Answer
The process of star formation begins with a nebula, which is a cloud of gas and dust. This nebula experiences gravitational forces that pull the gas and dust together, thereby increasing the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of the particles.
As the particles move closer, the gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, causing the particles to move faster. This movement increases the temperature of the core of the star.
Once the core becomes sufficiently hot, it reaches temperatures high enough to initiate nuclear fusion. This is where the kinetic energy transforms into thermal energy and subsequently leads to nuclear energy as hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium.
Step 2
Describe how the mass of a main sequence star will affect what the star finally becomes.
Answer
The mass of a main sequence star is a critical factor in determining its evolutionary path. Stars of different sizes can evolve into various end states.
For example, smaller to medium-sized stars may become red giants and eventually shed their outer layers to form planetary nebulae, leaving behind white dwarfs. In contrast, more massive stars can evolve into red supergiants, and depending on their mass, they may explode in a supernova event, leaving behind either a neutron star or a black hole. Thus, the final state of a main sequence star is closely tied to its initial mass.