The following questions are from the “Microsoft Rewards Bing Supersonic Quiz” for 5-28-2024. Let us know in the comments if you find the wrong answer to any question!!!
Are you spacey enough to answer these Red Giant star questions?
Question 1: What primary element does a Red Giant star fuse in its core after hydrogen?
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Helium
Correct Answer: Helium
Fact: When a Red Giant star runs out of hydrogen in its core, it starts to fuse helium into heavier elements like carbon and oxygen. This happens through a series of nuclear reactions called the triple-alpha process. The core gets smaller and hotter, allowing helium fusion to happen, while the outer layers expand. This is an important part of a star’s life cycle and what happens next depends on the star’s mass.
Question 2: What color does Red Giant star become due to its cooling surface?
- Blue
- Red
- White
Correct Answer: Red
Fact: When a Red Giant star gets bigger and cools down, it changes color from bluish or white to reddish. This happens because the star’s surface gets cooler, causing it to give off light in longer wavelengths, which look red. The red color means the star’s surface temperature is between 3,500 to 5,000 Kelvin, much cooler than the sun. This color change happens as the star moves into the later part of its life cycle, away from the main sequence.
Question 3: What is the ultimate fate of the outer layers of a Red Giant star?
- Expansion
- Explosion
- Collapse
Correct Answer: Expansion
Fact: When a Red Giant star runs out of fuel, its core gets hotter and contracts while the outer layers expand and cool. Eventually, the outer layers are thrown off into space, creating a planetary nebula. The remaining core becomes a white dwarf, which slowly cools down over billions of years. This transformation marks the end of the Red Giant’s life.