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A star with a larger luminosity than the sun would have a habitable zone that is , compared with the habitable zone of our sun.

a) Smaller
b) Larger
c) Unchanged
d) Inverted

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A star with a larger luminosity than the Sun has a larger habitable zone. The habitable zone is the area around a star where conditions may allow for liquid water, which is crucial for life. The position and size of the habitable zone can change as a star's luminosity changes over time.

Step-by-step explanation:

A star with a larger luminosity than the Sun would have a habitable zone that is b) Larger, compared with the habitable zone of our Sun. This is because a more luminous star emits more energy, thus warming a larger volume of space around it. Consequently, the distance at which a planet could have conditions suitable for liquid water—essential for life as we understand it—to exist on the surface, would be greater.

The habitable zone is where conditions may allow for the presence of liquid water on a planet's surface. Stars that are brighter and hotter have habitable zones that are positioned further out from the star compared to dimmer, cooler stars. M-dwarf stars, for instance, which are less luminous than our Sun, have habitable zones that are much closer to the star. The habitable zones around such stars are a matter of great scientific interest due to the possibility of supporting life.

As a star's luminosity increases over time, this also shifts the habitable zone outward. For example, as our Sun's power output has increased, the habitable zone has moved, making it so that Venus was once within our Sun's habitable zone and Earth was once on the edge.

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