Astronomy Stars and Stellar Evolution 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the final fate of a low-mass star like the Sun?
- A white dwarf (Correct answer)
- A black hole
- A neutron star
- A supernova remnant
Correct answer: A white dwarf
Low-mass stars shed their outer layers and leave behind a dense white dwarf.
Question 2: A planetary nebula is produced by which type of star?
- A dying low-to-medium-mass star (Correct answer)
- A newly formed protostar
- A massive star exploding as a supernova
- A binary black hole
Correct answer: A dying low-to-medium-mass star
Planetary nebulae are glowing shells of gas ejected by dying Sun-like stars.
Question 3: What supports a white dwarf against further gravitational collapse?
- Electron degeneracy pressure (Correct answer)
- Ongoing hydrogen fusion
- Radiation pressure from fusion
- Magnetic levitation
Correct answer: Electron degeneracy pressure
Electron degeneracy pressure, a quantum effect, halts a white dwarf's collapse.
Question 4: The Chandrasekhar limit is the maximum mass of what object?
- A white dwarf (Correct answer)
- A red giant
- A main-sequence star
- A molecular cloud
Correct answer: A white dwarf
Above the Chandrasekhar limit (~1.4 solar masses), a white dwarf cannot support itself.
Question 5: Which element begins to accumulate in the core of a very massive star just before it explodes?
- Iron (Correct answer)
- Hydrogen
- Helium
- Lithium
Correct answer: Iron
Iron cannot release energy through fusion, triggering the core collapse of massive stars.
Question 6: What type of star ends its life in a Type II supernova?
- A massive star (roughly 8+ solar masses) (Correct answer)
- A brown dwarf
- A Sun-like star
- A white dwarf alone
Correct answer: A massive star (roughly 8+ solar masses)
Type II supernovae result from the core collapse of massive stars.
Question 7: What remnant can be left behind after a massive star's supernova?
- A neutron star or black hole (Correct answer)
- A brand-new protostar
- A planetary nebula only
- A white dwarf only
Correct answer: A neutron star or black hole
Depending on mass, the collapsed core forms a neutron star or a black hole.
Astronomy Stars and Stellar Evolution 3
What is the final fate of a low-mass star like the Sun?