How long does it take an M-type star to form, compared to the time for a solar-type to form?
A.Half as long
B.About the same time
C.Twice as long
D.20 times as long
E.200 times as long
c
To determine the answer, we need to understand the formation process of M-type stars compared to solar-type stars.
M-type stars are a type of red dwarf star that are smaller and cooler than solar-type stars. The formation of a star involves the collapse of a cloud of gas and dust under its own gravity, which eventually reaches a stage known as protostar. From this protostar, the star continues to evolve and contract until it reaches its main sequence phase, where it spends most of its lifetime.
The formation time of a star depends on several factors, such as the mass of the protostar and the conditions of the interstellar cloud it forms from. Generally, smaller stars like M-type stars tend to form more quickly than larger stars like solar-type stars.
Solar-type stars, like our Sun, take approximately tens of millions of years to form from their initial collapsing clouds. On the other hand, M-type stars can form in just a few million years.
Therefore, the answer is C. Twice as long. M-type stars take roughly half the time compared to solar-type stars to form.