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
A
B
C?
Correct.
Yes, those are the correct answers.
To determine which of the options are true when a low-mass star runs out of fuel, we need to understand the life cycle of a star and its different stages. Here's an explanation of each option:
A. Its core becomes a white dwarf: When a low-mass star runs out of fuel, it enters the final stages of its life. During this phase, the star's core collapses under the force of gravity, causing it to become incredibly dense. This dense core forms a white dwarf.
B. Its outer layers form a nebula, or a vast cloud of gas and dust: When a low-mass star exhausts its nuclear fuel, it undergoes a process called stellar death. The outer layers of the star are expelled into space, creating a nebula. This nebula is composed of gas and dust.
C. Its outer layers expand, and the star becomes a red giant: Before a low-mass star becomes a white dwarf, it goes through a phase called the red giant phase. During this phase, the star's core begins to fuse helium while its outer layers expand. As the outer layers expand outward, the star swells in size, becoming a red giant.
D. Gas and dust in a nebula contract to form a protostar: This option is not applicable to a low-mass star running out of fuel. The formation of a protostar occurs during the early stages of stellar birth when a dense region of a nebula collapses under its own gravity, condensing and forming a protostar.
Based on the above explanations, the correct options for 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
Therefore, the correct answer would be A, B, and C.