Question

1. how does the life cycle of a star with less mass compare to a star with more mass?

Explanation:

To answer this, we refer to stellar evolution (subfield: Physics, Natural Science). Lower - mass stars (like our Sun) have longer life cycles. They start as nebulae, become main - sequence stars (fusing hydrogen) for a long time (e.g., Sun will be main - sequence for ~10 billion years). After hydrogen fusion in the core stops, they become red giants, then shed outer layers to form planetary nebulae, leaving a white dwarf. Higher - mass stars (e.g., 10+ solar masses) have shorter lives. They also start as nebulae, become main - sequence stars but fuse hydrogen faster. After core hydrogen is gone, they become supergiants, then undergo supernova explosions, leaving behind neutron stars or black holes. So, less - mass stars live longer, go through stages like red giant/white dwarf, while more - mass stars live shorter, end in supernova/neutron star/black hole.

Answer:

A star with less mass has a longer life cycle. It spends more time in the main - sequence phase (fusing hydrogen), evolves into a red giant, then forms a planetary nebula and leaves a white dwarf. A star with more mass has a shorter life cycle, evolves into a supergiant, undergoes a supernova explosion, and leaves behind a neutron star or a black hole.