Ugh...I put red giant on my final but everyone else put white dwarf. Can you tell me which is correct. Please and thanks. :)

Question

What is brighter a red giant or a white dwarf and why?

Thanks <3

Answer 1

See http://www.esse.ou.edu/fund_concepts/Fundamental_Concepts1/Universe/Classifying_Stars.html#Type_of_stars_and_related_objects

White dwarfs evolve into red giants when the hydrogen runs out at the center (unless they are much more massive than the sun and become supernovas). Red giants are larger but much cooler than white dwarfs and their net light output (absolute brihtness) is less.