Question

Stars change considerably during their lifetimes. The process through which they change is known as stellar evolution. Since stellar evolution occurs too slowly to be detected, scientists often study numerous stars in different phases of their lives to infer what happens to them over time.

One observation that scientists have made is that the initial mass of a star determines its evolution. How does the evolution of a low-mass star differ from that of a more massive star?
A.
Stars with masses less than 1.6 × 1029 kg become brown dwarfs because they are unable to reach high enough temperatures for hydrogen fusion to take place.
B.
Low-mass stars develop more slowly than more massive stars; their lifetimes can last trillions of years as opposed to only a few million years.
C.
Extremely massive stars are able to produce supernovas, or stellar explosions, when they cease to undergo nuclear fusion or when they undergo a sudden gravitational collapse.
D.
all of the above

Answer 1

D. all of the above

Briefly: Stars below about 0.08 M☉ (≈1.6×10^29 kg) cannot sustain hydrogen fusion and become brown dwarfs (A). Low-mass stars burn their fuel very slowly and can live for billions to trillions of years, whereas massive stars burn fast and live only millions of years (B). Very massive stars end in core collapse and can produce supernova explosions and compact remnants (C).