SOLUTION: Earth science study guide life cycle of a star and hr ... - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to fill in the blanks on the life cycle of a star diagram.

We’ll follow the arrows and descriptions from left to right, matching each stage with the correct term from the word bank or table provided.

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Step 1: Look at blank #1

The image shows a cloud of gas and dust. The description says:
> “Dense region in nebula begins to shrink, warm up, and become a protostar”

So before it becomes a protostar, it’s just a nebula.

✔ Blank #1 = Nebula

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Step 2: Blank #2

After the protostar forms, the next stage is when nuclear reactions start inside — the star shines steadily. That’s called the main sequence star.

✔ Blank #2 = Main sequence star

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Step 3: Blank #3

From main sequence, if the star has greater mass, it expands, cools, turns red → that’s a supergiant.

Wait — look at the diagram: there are two paths after main sequence.

- One path goes to a bigger red star labeled “Star of greater mass expands, cools, and turns red” → that’s a supergiant (blank #3)
- The other path goes to a smaller red star labeled “Star of less mass expands and glows red as it cools” → that’s a red giant (blank #7)

So:

✔ Blank #3 = Supergiant

✔ Blank #7 = Red Giant

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Step 4: Blank #4

After supergiant, it explodes — “Supergiant explodes, blasting away outer layers” → that’s a supernova

✔ Blank #4 = Supernova

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Step 5: Blanks #5 and #6

After supernova, the core collapses.

- If core collapses and becomes very dense → neutron star (blank #5)
- If core collapses completely and vanishes → black hole (blank #6)

✔ Blank #5 = Neutron star

✔ Blank #6 = Black hole

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Step 6: Blank #8

On the lower path (less massive stars):

After red giant, outer layers puff off → planetary nebula → then hot core exposed → that’s a white dwarf

✔ Blank #8 = White Dwarf

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Step 7: Blank #9

Then the white dwarf cools and reddens → still glowing but cooling → white dwarf cooling

✔ Blank #9 = White dwarf cooling

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Step 8: Blank #10

Finally, star stops glowing → no more heat or light → black dwarf

✔ Blank #10 = Black Dwarf

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Now let’s list all answers in order:

1. Nebula
2. Main sequence star
3. Supergiant
4. Supernova
5. Neutron star
6. Black hole
7. Red Giant
8. White Dwarf
9. White dwarf cooling
10. Black Dwarf

All match the word bank and table provided.

Final Answer:
1. Nebula
2. Main sequence star
3. Supergiant
4. Supernova
5. Neutron star
6. Black hole
7. Red Giant
8. White Dwarf
9. White dwarf cooling
10. Black Dwarf