A. The mass of the star, larger stars have shorter lifespans
B. The mass of the star, larger stars have longer lifespans.
C. How close the star is to other stars
D. How close the star is to a black hole
Will somone please help me answer this question
2007-04-17 08:06:49 · 6 answers · asked by Justin F 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's A.
A star needs to be so large in order for the fusion process to start. That being said, a star with a LOT of mass has a lot more gravity - which adds pressure and heat - which in turn, uses it's fuel more rapidly. Small stars, like our sun, burn long & steady for a very long time. Larger stars; Sirius A, for example, will have lifespans 10s to 1000s of times shorter.
2007-04-17 09:38:17 · answer #1 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The old professor says that the choices given are all wrong! Someone is mixing masses and star sizes. Answer "A." should properly read "The mass of the star. Larger MASS stars have shorter lifespans." If it were written that way, then "A" would be the correct choice. The mass of a star and the size of a star are two different things.
C. is also a correct answer. Anyone knows that a companion star in a binary system in which the one with more mass will "kill" the less massive one by drawing off its mass will shorten the life of the smaller mass companion quickly.
D. would work. No matter what the age of a star is, if it crosses the event horizon, its a dead duck.
A. is the best generic answer since the other possibilities are more remote.
2007-04-17 17:42:38 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of these can be factor in your question. But remember this the more fuel there is the larger the star the larger the star the more fuel it takes to stay bright! I hope this helps because there is more then one factor to consider here.
2007-04-17 17:42:57 · answer #3 · answered by harold. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answer B. is the closest to being correct.
Actually it is the total volume of available hydrogen gas that determines the life of a star. Within stars, hydrogen gas is changed into helium by nuclear fusion which begins as a result of immense pressure and heat.
2007-04-17 17:55:26 · answer #4 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A. but it's proximity to a black hole will surely shorten its live span
2007-04-17 17:02:51 · answer #5 · answered by doom98999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's A.
2007-04-17 15:10:23 · answer #6 · answered by dorothea_swann 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋