Practice and Revision - Life Cycle of Stars
Let us practise and revise what we learned about life cycle of stars. Stars go through a life cycle from formation to eventual death, with t
Core concept
Stars form from clouds of gas and dust called nebulae, which collapse under gravity, eventually igniting nuclear fusion to become a star.
How it works
During most of a star's life (main sequence), it fuses hydrogen into helium, releasing enormous energy that powers its light and heat.
Why it matters
When a star like our Sun exhausts its fuel, it expands into a red giant, then eventually sheds its outer layers, leaving behind a white dwarf.
Key detail
Massive stars end more dramatically in supernovae explosions, potentially leaving behind neutron stars or, for the most massive stars, black holes.
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Key diagram

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Quick notes
• Stars form from nebulae (gas, dust clouds).
• Gravity collapse ignites nuclear fusion.
• Main sequence: fuses hydrogen into helium.
• This powers the star's light, heat.
• Sun-like stars: expand to red giant.
• Then shed layers, become white dwarf.
• Massive stars: end in supernova explosions.
• May leave neutron stars or black holes.