Question

Pick the correct life cycle for a high mass star. A. Main Sequence → Red Giant → Supernova → Neutron Star → Black Hole

B. Main Sequence → Red Supergiant → Planetary Nebula → White Dwarf

C. Main Sequence → Red Supergiant → Supernova → Neutron Star → Black Hole

D. Red Giant → Main Sequence → White Dwarf → Supernova → Black Hole

Answer 1

The correct life cycle for a high-mass star is Main Sequence → Red Supergiant → Supernova → Neutron Star → Black Hole, which is option C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct life cycle for a high-mass star is: Main Sequence → Red Supergiant → Supernova → Neutron Star → Black Hole. This corresponds to option C in the choices provided.

The life cycle begins with a star forming from a cloud of gas and dust and entering the Main Sequence, where it remains for the majority of its life, fusing hydrogen into helium.

As the star exhausts its hydrogen fuel, it expands into a Red Supergiant, and eventually, the core collapses, leading to a Supernova explosion. If the core remnants are between about 1.4 and 3 solar masses, it becomes a Neutron Star. Otherwise, if the mass is greater, it becomes a Black Hole.