Which of these characteristics of a star make it most likely to become a black hole? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)

Question

Responses

Its mass is greater than 20 times the mass of the sun.
Its mass is greater than 20 times the mass of the sun.

It has an abundant supply of hydrogen.
It has an abundant supply of hydrogen.

Its mass is equal to that of the sun.
Its mass is equal to that of the sun.

It is dying.

Answer 1

The two characteristics of a star that make it most likely to become a black hole are:

1. Its mass is greater than 20 times the mass of the sun.
2. It is dying.

Stars that have a mass significantly greater than that of the sun are more likely to end their lives in a supernova explosion, which can lead to the formation of a black hole, especially if their core remnants are above a certain mass threshold. Additionally, a dying star indicates that it has exhausted its nuclear fuel and is undergoing processes that can lead to the formation of a black hole.