Use the diagram to answer the question.



A graph illustrates the relationship between the luminosity (Sun = 1), ranging from 0.0001 to 10000, and temperature in Kelvin, ranging from 30000 to 3000, for various stars classifications. Main sequence stars extend diagonally from the top left to the bottom right corner of the graph. The White Dwarfs, Giants, and Super Giants are placed on the graph according to their luminosity and temperature.


If a star has an absolute magnitude of 10 and a temperature of 20,000 K, under which spectral class would the star be classified?

(1 point)
Responses

O
O

F
F

B
B

A
A
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1 answer

To determine the spectral class of a star with an absolute magnitude of 10 and a temperature of 20,000 K, we need to use the general classifications for stars.

  1. Spectral Class is primarily determined by the temperature of the star:
    • O-type stars: temperature > 30,000 K
    • B-type stars: 10,000 K < temperature ≤ 30,000 K
    • A-type stars: 7,500 K < temperature ≤ 10,000 K
    • F-type stars: 6,000 K < temperature ≤ 7,500 K
    • G-type stars: 5,200 K < temperature ≤ 6,000 K
    • K-type stars: 3,700 K < temperature ≤ 5,200 K
    • M-type stars: temperature < 3,700 K

Given that the temperature of the star in question is 20,000 K, it falls into the B-type category (as it is within the range of 10,000 K to 30,000 K).

Thus, the star would be classified as:

B