GCSE Physics (AQA)

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Neutron Star & Black Holes

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Space physics Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites

Neutron Star & Black Holes

5:17 Life Cycle of a Star
Spec 4.8.1.2
Previous White & Black Dwarves Next Orbits & Circular Motion
  • A supernova explosion compresses the core of a red super giant.
  • Red super giants are large stars after their main sequence stage.
  • Supernova leads to the creation of a neutron star for typical super giants.
  • Neutron stars are made of tightly packed neutrons, with no protons or electrons.
  • Neutron stars have a huge mass and are extremely dense, only a few kilometers wide.
  • Density is calculated by dividing mass by volume; neutron stars have high density.
  • Particularly large super giants can collapse into a black hole instead of a neutron star.
  • Black holes have incredibly strong gravitational fields due to their mass.
  • Nothing, not even light, can escape from a black hole, creating a "hole" appearance.
  • Only massive main sequence stars can become black holes or neutron stars.
  • Life stages of large stars: start as a cloud of dust and gas, become a proto star, then a red super giant, and finally a supernova.
  • Most super giants become neutron stars after a supernova; only the most massive become black holes.
  • Low mass stars cannot become neutron stars or super giants.

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