Star Types Quick Check

Question

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Question
Use the diagram to answer the question.

The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram shows the spectral class of stars across the top, the temperature in Kellvin of stars across the bottom. The luminosity of stars, with the luminosity of the Sun equal to one, on the right, and the absolute magnitude of stars on the right. Blue giants, red supergiants, red giants, main sequence stars, the Sun, and white dwarfs are shown on the diagram.

Which type of star is in spectral class K and has a luminosity of 106?

(1 point)
Responses

red giant
red giant

white dwarf
white dwarf

red supergiant
red supergiant

blue giant
blue giant
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Answer 1

In the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram, a star that falls under spectral class K and has a luminosity of \( 10^6 \) (or 1,000,000 times the luminosity of the Sun) would be classified as a red supergiant.

Red giants typically have lower luminosity than \( 10^6 \), while blue giants would be classified under a hotter spectral class (like O or B). White dwarfs have much lower luminosity and are not classified in spectral class K. Therefore, the correct response is:

red supergiant.