Question

Which of these characteristics of a star make it most likely to become a black hole select the two correct answers

Answer 1

To determine which characteristics make a star most likely to become a black hole, consider the following two key factors:

1. **Mass**: The most critical factor is the mass of the star. A star needs to have a sufficient mass to evolve into a black hole, typically more than about 20 times the mass of the Sun (solar masses). Only massive stars undergo the gravitational collapse necessary to form black holes after exhausting their nuclear fuel.

2. **End Stage of Stellar Evolution**: The star must also have gone through the appropriate stages in its evolutionary process, culminating in a supernova explosion. This explosion occurs when the core collapses under gravity, and if the remnant core is sufficiently massive, it can collapse further to become a black hole.

These two characteristics—high mass and the appropriate evolutionary processes—are crucial for a star to become a black hole.