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GCSE: P2: black dwarfs

Hi,
I really have no idea what happens to a star after the main sequence period in order for it to become a black dwarf. I don't even know what the main sequence is?
If some one knows please could they help me
Thank you :smile:


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Main sequence is the part of a Star's lifespan where it spends the majority of its lifespan and is most stable. It ends when it runs out of hydrogen in its core. The steps towards a black dwarf is this: main sequence > red giant > white dwarf > black dwarf.
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Kyx
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Original post by zarrii
Hi,
I really have no idea what happens to a star after the main sequence period in order for it to become a black dwarf. I don't even know what the main sequence is?
If some one knows please could they help me
Thank you :smile:


Posted from TSR Mobile


After main sequence. it becomes a red giant (like the sun will be)

Then it sheds its outer layers in a nebula, with a white dwarf left over.

This white dwarf then cools down to become a black dwarf :smile:
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zarrii
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Original post by Vikingninja
Main sequence is the part of a Star's lifespan where it spends the majority of its lifespan and is most stable. It ends when it runs out of hydrogen in its core. The steps towards a black dwarf is this: main sequence > red giant > white dwarf > black dwarf.


Thank you so much!!


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zarrii
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Original post by Kyx
After main sequence. it becomes a red giant (like the sun will be)

Then it sheds its outer layers in a nebula, with a white dwarf left over.

This white dwarf then cools down to become a black dwarf :smile:


Thank you very much but what is a nebula? :smile:


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Original post by zarrii
Thank you very much but what is a nebula? :smile:


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Cloud of dust and gas in space.
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Kyx
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Original post by zarrii
Thank you very much but what is a nebula? :smile:


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A cloud of gas and dust.

Such as the 'Eagle Nebula' or the 'Horsehead nebula' or the 'Crab nebula' or the 'Orion nebula' or the 'Cat's eye nebula' (to name just a few, if you want to google images of them :tongue:)
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zarrii
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Original post by Vikingninja
Cloud of dust and gas in space.


Thank you


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zarrii
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Original post by Kyx
A cloud of gas and dust.

Such as the 'Eagle Nebula' or the 'Horsehead nebula' or the 'Crab nebula' or the 'Orion nebula' or the 'Cat's eye nebula' (to name just a few, if you want to google images of them :tongue:)


Thank you :*


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Kyx
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Original post by zarrii


np :smile:
Reply 10
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Kyx
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More specifically, it will be a planetary nebula

It has nothing to do with planets, though :tongue:
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zarrii
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Original post by Kyx
More specifically, it will be a planetary nebula

It has nothing to do with planets, though :tongue:


Your amazing thank you so much for your help!!!!! Xxxx


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Reply 12
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Kyx
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Original post by zarrii
Your amazing thank you so much for your help!!!!! Xxxx


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np
If you need any more help, just PM me

or ou can talk to me here http://socratic.org/users/kyx

:smile:
To add to the phase of going from a white to a black dwarf it just cools down over time. The white dwarf has no nuclear reactions anymore in it but because space is a vacuum it takes ages to cool down. Not sure what detail you need to include with the main sequence going into a red giant and then into a white dwarf for GCSE but it gets more in depth at A level.
Reply 14
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zarrii
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Original post by Vikingninja
To add to the phase of going from a white to a black dwarf it just cools down over time. The white dwarf has no nuclear reactions anymore in it but because space is a vacuum it takes ages to cool down. Not sure what detail you need to include with the main sequence going into a red giant and then into a white dwarf for GCSE but it gets more in depth at A level.


Thank you for all your help :smile: :smile: :smile:


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