Question

select all the correct answers. which statements are true of a white dwarf? it has a red giant. it is the result of the core collapse of a low - mass star that sheds its outer layers. it emits massive amounts of light compared with other stars. it strongly attracts all matter or energy that comes near it. it cools down to become a black dwarf.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each statement about a white dwarf:

1. "It has a red giant."

A white dwarf is the remnant of a star (like a red giant's core after shedding outer layers), but a white dwarf itself does not have a red giant. So this is false.

1. "It is the result of the core collapse of a low - mass star that sheds its outer layers."

Low - mass stars (like our Sun) go through stages: they become red giants, shed their outer layers (planetary nebula phase), and leave behind a white dwarf (the core). So this is true.

1. "It emits massive amounts of light compared with other stars."

White dwarfs are very faint compared to main - sequence stars or red giants. They are dim because they are supported by electron degeneracy pressure and have a small surface area for light emission. So this is false.

1. "It strongly attracts all matter or energy that comes near it."

White dwarfs have strong gravitational fields, but not as extreme as black holes or neutron stars. However, their gravity is strong enough to attract matter/energy that gets close. But more accurately, black holes are known for extremely strong gravity that traps matter/energy. White dwarfs do attract matter, but the statement is a bit misleading. Wait, no—white dwarfs do have significant gravity. But let's check the next statement.

1. "It cools down to become a black dwarf."

A white dwarf, over an extremely long time (longer than the current age of the universe), will cool down and become a black dwarf (a cold, dark remnant). This is true.

Wait, let's re - evaluate the "strongly attracts" statement. White dwarfs have gravity, but the key is: the correct statements about white dwarfs are:

• "It is the result of the core collapse of a low - mass star that sheds its outer layers." (True, as low - mass stars shed outer layers to leave a white dwarf core.)
• "It cools down to become a black dwarf." (True, as white dwarfs radiate away their residual heat over time.)

The "strongly attracts" statement: While white dwarfs have gravity, the term "strongly" is relative. But in the context of stellar remnants, black holes are the ones with extremely strong gravity. However, white dwarfs do attract matter. But let's go back to standard white dwarf properties:

Standard correct properties of white dwarfs:

• Formed from low - mass stars shedding outer layers (core remains).
• Cools over time to a black dwarf (theoretical, as universe isn't old enough for black dwarfs to exist yet).
• Does not have a red giant (it is the remnant of a star that was a red giant).
• Emits little light (faint).
• Gravity is strong but not as extreme as black holes/neutron stars.

So the correct statements are:

• "It is the result of the core collapse of a low - mass star that sheds its outer layers."
• "It cools down to become a black dwarf."

(Note: If the "strongly attracts" is considered, but in typical astronomy, white dwarfs do attract matter, but the main correct ones are the two above.)

Answer:

• It is the result of the core collapse of a low - mass star that sheds its outer layers.
• It cools down to become a black dwarf.