What is described as a huge ball of superheated gases?

Prepare for the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question offers hints and explanations to get you ready for exam success!

A star is correctly described as a huge ball of superheated gases, predominantly hydrogen and helium. The core of a star undergoes nuclear fusion, a process that converts hydrogen into helium, releasing an immense amount of energy in the form of light and heat. This energy is what makes stars shine brightly in the night sky, and their enormous gravitational force holds them together while also allowing them to influence surrounding celestial bodies.

In contrast, a black hole is an area in space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the sun, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and does not possess the characteristics of a huge ball of gases. A comet, while composed of ice, dust, and rocky material, is not a massive sphere of gas but instead features a nucleus surrounded by a glowing coma and often a tail when near the sun. Thus, the defining features of a star distinctly categorize it as a superheated ball of gases, differentiating it from the other celestial phenomena mentioned.

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