physics articles - Page: 2
How do astronomers primarily determine the mass of a distant galaxy?
What property is measured using the Doppler shift of emitted light or radio waves from orbiting objects?
What does a surprisingly flat rotation curve for a spiral galaxy strongly imply?
In Newtonian physics calculations for orbital mass, what two forces are assumed to be balanced?
If a mass figure for a galaxy is labeled $M_*$, what component does that figure represent?
The Mass-to-Light ratio ($M/L$) used to estimate stellar mass depends heavily on what factors?
What technique must astronomers rely on for elliptical galaxies that lack orderly rotation curves?
High velocity dispersion within a galaxy indicates what about its stellar motion?
Gravitational lensing is considered an independent method because it is sensitive to which type of mass?
Which mass label, $M_{ ext{total}}$ or $M_{ ext{virial}}$, includes the dark matter halo inferred from dynamical measurements?
What specific radio emission allows for a relatively detailed mass mapping of the Milky Way's local environment?
What specific element marks the inevitable end of thermonuclear fusion in a massive star's core?
What state of balance is maintained in a stable star by opposing gravity and outward thermal pressure?
What energetic requirement defines the process of fusing elements heavier than iron?
What process occurs when protons and electrons are forced together under extreme pressure during the final core implosion?
What fundamental force finally halts the core's collapse after it reaches nuclear saturation density?
What is the violent explosion called that results from the rebounding shock wave after core collapse?
What process occurring during the supernova explosion is responsible for forging elements heavier than iron, such as gold and uranium?
How does the duration of the final silicon-burning phase compare to the star's main-sequence life?
For stars with initial masses roughly between 8 and 25 solar masses, what remnant is typically left behind after core collapse?
What is the primary element created by the fusion process powering main-sequence stars like our Sun?
What mechanism provides indefinite support for a remnant white dwarf formed from a Sun-like star?
What are the generally accepted five key physical characteristics used to map the cosmos?
Which physical property is considered the master control switch for a star's entire life cycle?
How does a star's lifespan scale compared to its initial mass?
What color do stars that peak at longer wavelengths predominantly appear as?
In the sequence O, B, A, F, G, K, and M used for spectral classes, which letter denotes the coolest stars?
What key factor must astronomers account for mathematically to derive a star's luminosity from its apparent brightness?
Besides surface temperature, what other measurable property directly influences a star's luminosity?
Approximately what celestial body's size is comparable to the radius of a white dwarf?
How is the radius (physical size) of a star most often determined by astronomers?
In astronomical terms, what does the term 'metals' refer to in the context of a star's chemical composition?
What characteristic generally defines Population II stars in terms of chemical composition?
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