Question

1 multiple choice 1 point
choose the option that best completes the following sentence: more - massive stars have temperatures and spend time on the main sequence than less massive stars
hotter; less
cooler; less
hotter; more
cooler; more
2 multiple choice 1 point
which of the following correctly ranks the stages in the life of the sun, from earliest to latest?
red giant -> main sequence -> white dwarf
red giant -> white dwarf -> main sequence
white dwarf -> main sequence -> red giant
main sequence -> red giant -> white dwarf
white dwarf -> red giant -> main sequence
main sequence -> white dwarf -> red giant
3 multiple choice 1 point
choose the option that best completes the following sentence: a white dwarf cannot be more massive than
0.2 solar masses
6 solar masses
1 solar masses
1.4 solar masses
4.6 solar masses
8 solar masses

Explanation:

1. More - massive stars have higher core temperatures due to stronger gravitational compression. They burn fuel faster, so they spend less time on the main sequence.
2. The Sun starts as a main - sequence star (fusing hydrogen). When hydrogen in the core is exhausted, it expands into a red giant (fusing helium in a shell around the core). After the red - giant phase, it sheds its outer layers and the core becomes a white dwarf.
3. The Chandrasekhar limit, which is approximately 1.4 solar masses, is the maximum mass a white dwarf can have before it collapses (usually to form a neutron star or black hole if in a binary system with mass transfer).

Answer:

1. hotter; less
2. main sequence → red giant → white dwarf
3. 1.4 solar masses