ASTR 1346 - STELLAR EVOLUTION OF
SUNLIKE STARS. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
Why do red dwarfs have long stellar lifetimes? - ANS They have low rates of fusion and low
luminosities
The highest mass star known - at an unstable, tremendous 300 solar masses - is: -
ANS R136A1
A "low mass" star might have a mass comparable to: - ANS 1860× the mass of all of our Solar
System's planets combined (2.5× the mass of the Sun)
Degenerate matter is: - ANS High density matter propped up by pressure exerted by
extremely high velocity subatomic particles, like neutrons or electrons
Proton + Electron = ________ - ANS Neutron + photons
A gaseous body has a mass around 45× that of the planet Jupiter (making it 14,300 times
heavier than Earth and around 4.3% the mass of the Sun). How is this object generating energy?
- ANS It is a brown dwarf, so it isn't undergoing any energy generation
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Check each star that is likely to leave behind a black hole at the end of its stellar life: -
ANS Naos, a 44 M⊙ O4 Main Sequence Star
What is a supernova (specifically a Type II supernova) ? - ANS The collapse of the core of a
huge star and the ensuing explosion that tears the upper layers apart and blows them off into
space at high speeds
A neutron star is likely to originate... - ANS From the core collapse of a 12 M⊙ star
How will a red dwarf's stellar life end? - ANS The red dwarf's convection will keep the star
well mixed and eventually it will be transformed into an all-helium white dwarf
What appears to be the upper mass limit for a black hole at birth? - ANS 20 M⊙
Degenerate matter is: - ANS High density matter propped up by pressure exerted by very high
speed subatomic particles, like electrons
A neutron star is likely composed of... - ANS Neutrons
The most drastic change in the appearance and physical characteristics of the Sun will occur: -
ANS Between the ages of 10 billion and 11 billion years
How are red dwarfs and white dwarfs related? - ANS They aren't; they're two different
objects
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
SUNLIKE STARS. EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
Why do red dwarfs have long stellar lifetimes? - ANS They have low rates of fusion and low
luminosities
The highest mass star known - at an unstable, tremendous 300 solar masses - is: -
ANS R136A1
A "low mass" star might have a mass comparable to: - ANS 1860× the mass of all of our Solar
System's planets combined (2.5× the mass of the Sun)
Degenerate matter is: - ANS High density matter propped up by pressure exerted by
extremely high velocity subatomic particles, like neutrons or electrons
Proton + Electron = ________ - ANS Neutron + photons
A gaseous body has a mass around 45× that of the planet Jupiter (making it 14,300 times
heavier than Earth and around 4.3% the mass of the Sun). How is this object generating energy?
- ANS It is a brown dwarf, so it isn't undergoing any energy generation
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Check each star that is likely to leave behind a black hole at the end of its stellar life: -
ANS Naos, a 44 M⊙ O4 Main Sequence Star
What is a supernova (specifically a Type II supernova) ? - ANS The collapse of the core of a
huge star and the ensuing explosion that tears the upper layers apart and blows them off into
space at high speeds
A neutron star is likely to originate... - ANS From the core collapse of a 12 M⊙ star
How will a red dwarf's stellar life end? - ANS The red dwarf's convection will keep the star
well mixed and eventually it will be transformed into an all-helium white dwarf
What appears to be the upper mass limit for a black hole at birth? - ANS 20 M⊙
Degenerate matter is: - ANS High density matter propped up by pressure exerted by very high
speed subatomic particles, like electrons
A neutron star is likely composed of... - ANS Neutrons
The most drastic change in the appearance and physical characteristics of the Sun will occur: -
ANS Between the ages of 10 billion and 11 billion years
How are red dwarfs and white dwarfs related? - ANS They aren't; they're two different
objects
2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
