Life Cycle of a Star (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)) : Revision Note
Life cycle of a star
Small mass star
A small mass star is one which has a similar mass as the Sun
After the stable star stage, a small mass star finishes its life cycle in the following evolutionary stages:
red giant → planetary nebula + white dwarf
Red giant:
Formed when a small mass star reaches the end of its life
The outer layers of the star expand and cool
Planetary nebula:
Formed when the outer layers of the star are pushed away
White dwarf:
Formed when the core of the star collapses
Found at the centre of a planetary nebula
The life cycle of a small mass star

The life cycle of a star that is similar to our Sun
Large mass star
A large mass star is one with a larger mass than the Sun
After the stable star stage, a large mass star finishes its life cycle in the following evolutionary stages:
red supergiant → supernova → neutron star
Red supergiant:
Formed when a large (or very large) mass star reaches the end of its life
The outer layers of the star expand and cool
Supernova:
An exploding red supergiant
Neutron star:
Formed when the core of a large star collapses
Very dense, but not as much as a black hole
Very large mass star
A very large mass star is one with a much larger mass than the Sun
After the stable star stage, a very large mass star finishes its life cycle in the following evolutionary stages:
red supergiant → supernova → black hole
Black hole:
Formed when the core of a very large star collapses
Extremely dense
The life cycle of a large mass star

The life cycle of a star much larger than our Sun
Formation of new stars and planets
Extended tier only
The nebula from a supernova may form new stars with orbiting planets
The heaviest elements (elements heavier than iron) are formed during a supernova and are ejected into space
These nebulae may form new planetary systems
A supernova

The nebula formed from a supernova may eventually form new stars with orbiting planets
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