Question

Which stages do all stars have in common in their life cycles?(1 point)

Answer 1

All stars go through several common stages in their life cycles, which generally include:

1. **Stellar Nebula**: Stars form from clouds of gas and dust known as nebulae.
2. **Main Sequence**: Once nuclear fusion begins in the core, the star enters the main sequence phase where it spends most of its life fusing hydrogen into helium.
3. **Red Giant or Supergiant**: After exhausting the hydrogen in its core, the star expands and cools to become a red giant (for smaller stars) or a supergiant (for massive stars).
4. **Planetary Nebula or Supernova**: Smaller stars shed their outer layers and create a planetary nebula, while massive stars undergo a supernova explosion.
5. **White Dwarf, Neutron Star, or Black Hole**: The remnant of the star's core can become a white dwarf (for smaller stars), a neutron star, or collapse into a black hole (for massive stars).

These stages illustrate the general life cycle of stars, although the specifics can vary based on the star's mass and chemical composition.