2. which of the following happens when a low - mass star runs out of fuel ? choose all that apply . ( 3points )
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
the core turns in to a white dwarf. So go from there .
To determine which of the following options apply when a low-mass star runs out of fuel, we need to understand the life cycle of a star and what happens at the end of its life.
When a low-mass star exhausts its nuclear fuel, the following events occur:
A. Its core becomes a white dwarf: This option is correct. After burning all of its nuclear fuel, a low-mass star undergoes gravitational collapse, causing its core to become a dense, hot, and compact object known as a white dwarf. The outer layers of the star are expelled into space.
B. Its outer layers form a nebula: This option is also correct. As the low-mass star runs out of fuel, gravity causes the outer layers to expand and be expelled, forming a nebula. A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust.
C. Its outer layers expand, and the star becomes a red giant: This option is incorrect. The process of a low-mass star running out of fuel and becoming a red giant occurs before it completely exhausts its nuclear fuel. During this phase, the star expands and its outer layers grow larger.
D. Gas and dust in a nebula contract to form a protostar: This option is incorrect. The contraction of gas and dust in a nebula to form a protostar is the initial stage of star formation, not the result of a low-mass star running out of fuel.
So, the correct answers are:
A. Its core becomes a white dwarf
B. Its outer layers form a nebula