Discuss the formation and composition of a star... - SS2 Physics Space Physics and Astrophysics Question

Stars are formed from the gravitational collapse of giant molecular clouds consisting of gas and dust. As the cloud collapses, it forms a protostar, where nuclear fusion reactions begin in the core. These reactions convert hydrogen into helium, releasing immense amounts of energy in the form of light and heat. This energy counteracts the gravitational force, leading to a stable star.

During its evolution, a star goes through various stages depending on its mass. For low- to medium-mass stars, like the Sun, the main sequence stage is the longest, where hydrogen fusion occurs in the core. As hydrogen is depleted, the star expands into a red giant, fusing helium into heavier elements. The final stages depend on the star's mass, with low-mass stars forming white dwarfs and high-mass stars undergo supernova explosions, leaving behind remnants like neutron stars or black holes.