How does a star become a red supergiant?

How does a star become a red supergiant?

A red supergiant occurs when a moderately massive star — perhaps 8–40 solar masses in size — exhausts its hydrogen fuel, evolves off of the main sequence, and transitions to fusing helium within its core. As this occurs, the star’s radius expands, causing its temperature to plummet.

Why do some stars become red giants and others become supernovae?

As stars burn up their hydrogen and fuse helium into larger atoms they begin to collapse and become red giants. When a massive star has no more elements left to fuse it explodes as a supernova, from which the chemical elements heavier than lithium form.

What causes a red giant to form?

A red giant star is formed when a star, like our Sun, burns all of its hydrogen and helium supplies. This process can take up to 10 billion years. When a star becomes a red giant, it will start to expand and become denser.

Why do some stars become super red giant quizlet?

Red Supergiants are created when the core runs out of hydrogen fuel supply and the star begins to collapse in on itself. The outer shells of hydrogen then begin to get hot enough to begin fusion.

What elements are formed in super red giants?

The star then becomes a red supergiant, similar to a red giant, only larger. Unlike red giants, these red supergiants have enough mass to create greater gravitational pressure, and therefore higher core temperatures. They fuse helium into carbon, carbon and helium into oxygen, and two carbon atoms into magnesium.

Why will our sun become a red giant star in about 5 billion years?

A: Roughly 5 billion years from now, the Sun will exhaust the hydrogen fuel in its core and start burning helium, forcing its transition into a red giant star. The atmospheres of gas giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn will gradually erode under the increased radiation from the Sun.

Can a star become a red giant more than once?

Can a star become a red giant more than once? Yes, before and after the helium flash. What is true of a planetary nebulae? A(n) _________ represents a relatively peaceful mass loss as a red giant becomes a white dwarf.

How do main sequence stars become red giants quizlet?

-After burning most of its hydrogen fuel, a main sequence star begins to collapse, heats up, and then begins fusing helium and heaver elements. The star expands in overall size, becoming a red giant or supergiant. At this point, the red giant has become a white dwarf.

What is the difference between a red giant and a red supergiant star quizlet?

Terms in this set (20) What is the difference between a red giant star and a red supergiant star? A red giant is a star that expands and cools once it uses most of its hydrogen. As the center of a star continues to shrink, a red giant star can become a red supergiant star.

Will the Sun become a super giant?

In a few billion years, the sun will become a red giant so large that it will engulf our planet. The sun is currently classified as a “main sequence” star. This means that it is in the most stable part of its life, converting the hydrogen present in its core into helium.