Evolution of Stars

● The star formation theory proposes that stars form due to the collapse of the dense
regions of a molecular cloud. As the cloud collapses, the fragments contract to form a
stellar core called protostar. Due to strong gravitational force, the protostar contracts and
its temperature increases. When the core temperature reaches about 10 million K,
nuclear reactions begin.

● The reactions release positrons and neutrinos which increase pressure and stop the
contraction. When the contraction stops, the gravitational equilibrium is reached, and the
protostar has become a main sequence star.

Stellar nucleosynthesis is the process by which elements are formed within stars.

The star formation theory proposes that stars form due to the collapse of the dense regions
of a molecular cloud.

A protostar is a stellar core formed when the fragments of a collapsed molecular cloud contract.

A main sequence star is formed when gravitational equilibrium is reached during the hydrogen
fusion in a protostar.

A red giant is a star that has used up its hydrogen supply in the core and switched into the
thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen in the shell surrounding the core.

A massive star becomes a multiple-shell red giant when the elements oxygen, neon,
magnesium, silicon, and iron are formed in its core together with carbon, helium, and hydrogen.

A supernova is a star that blows apart and releases a large amount of energy.
Evidence of star formation comes from studying IR emissions from the different stages of star
evolution