Why do stars sometimes lose mass? How does this happen?

Question

Mila Bautista · Accepted Answer

it converts into energy.

Every second, the original mass of hydrogen is lost during its conversion to helium; the missing mass is subsequently transformed into heat, light, and energy.

Isaac Abel · Answer

undefined Stars sometimes lose mass through processes such as stellar winds, mass transfer in binary systems, and supernova explosions. Stellar winds occur when the outer layers of a star are heated, causing them to expand and release material into space. In binary systems, mass transfer can occur when one star accretes material from its companion, leading to a loss of mass for the donor star. Supernova explosions, occurring at the end of a massive star's life cycle, result in the ejection of a significant portion of the star's mass into the surrounding space.

Benjamin Awad · Answer

undefined Stars can lose mass through various processes, including stellar winds, mass transfer in binary systems, and supernova explosions.

1. Stellar Winds: Stars continuously emit streams of particles in the form of stellar winds. These winds can carry away mass from the outer layers of the star. The strength of stellar winds depends on the star's mass, luminosity, and evolutionary stage. Massive stars tend to have stronger stellar winds compared to low-mass stars.

2. Mass Transfer in Binary Systems: In binary star systems, where two stars orbit around their common center of mass, mass transfer can occur. If one star evolves faster or expands beyond its Roche lobe, it can transfer mass onto its companion. This mass transfer process can result in the loss of mass for the donor star.

3. Supernova Explosions: Massive stars undergo supernova explosions at the end of their lives. During a supernova, the outer layers of the star are ejected into space at high velocities, leading to a significant loss of mass. The remnants of the supernova explosion, such as neutron stars or black holes, retain only a fraction of the original star's mass.

Overall, stars lose mass as a result of these processes, which play crucial roles in shaping stellar evolution and the dynamics of the universe.