Which of the following happens when a low-mass star runs out of fuel? Choose all that apply.
A. Its core becomes a white dwarf
B. Its outer layers form a nebula, or vast cloud of gas and dust
C. its outer layers expand, and the star becomes a red giant
D. gas and dust in a nebula contract to form a protostar
it is abc if you are on connexus you need to attend the live lessons cause in lessons they dont show you everything you need to go on the live lessons
Also, can anyone explain this?
To determine which of the options happen when a low-mass star runs out of fuel, let's go through each choice and explain the outcomes.
A. Its core becomes a white dwarf:
A low-mass star will eventually exhaust its nuclear fuel. When this happens, the core of the star collapses inward due to gravity, while the outer layers of the star are expelled. The collapse of the core leads to the formation of a dense, hot object called a white dwarf.
B. Its outer layers form a nebula, or vast cloud of gas and dust:
As the low-mass star exhausts its fuel and the core collapses, the outer layers of the star are expelled into space. These expelled materials can form a nebula, which is primarily composed of gas and dust. Therefore, the option B is applicable.
C. Its outer layers expand, and the star becomes a red giant:
Before a low-mass star completely runs out of fuel, it goes through a phase called the red giant phase. During this phase, the outer layers of the star expand, and the star becomes larger and cooler. So, option C is also applicable.
D. Gas and dust in a nebula contract to form a protostar:
This option refers to the formation of a new star, rather than what happens when a low-mass star runs out of fuel. When a nebula contracts due to gravity, it can form a protostar, which is a nascent stage in the star formation process. This choice does not correspond to a low-mass star running out of fuel.
In conclusion, the options that apply when a low-mass star runs out of fuel are:
A. Its core becomes a white dwarf.
B. Its outer layers form a nebula, or vast cloud of gas and dust.
C. Its outer layers expand, and the star becomes a red giant.