Question

d. compare the data in the table above:

name of star	mass (x sun)	time on main sequence (myr)	final stage	did it produce a supernova? (yes or no)
proxima centauri	0.2
regalus	6
beta centauri	10
deneb	20
alnilam	30

1. which star had the shortest time on the main sequence?
2. which star had the longest time on the main sequence?
3. as a rule, explain exactly how the mass of a star affects its time on the main sequence.
4. from the data above, roughly how much mass does a star need in order to produce a supernova?
5. from the data above, roughly how much mass does a star need in order to produce a black hole?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall stellar - evolution knowledge

In general, more massive stars have shorter main - sequence lifetimes.

Step2: Analyze the mass of given stars

Among Proxima Centauri (0.2 x Sun), Regalus (6 x Sun), Beta Centauri (10 x Sun), Deneb (20 x Sun), and Alnilam (30 x Sun), Alnilam has the highest mass.

Step3: Answer question 8

Since more massive stars have shorter main - sequence lifetimes, Alnilam had the shortest time on the main sequence.

Step4: Answer question 9

Proxima Centauri has the lowest mass among the given stars, so it had the longest time on the main sequence.

Step5: Answer question 10

The more massive a star is, the faster it burns through its nuclear fuel, so it has a shorter time on the main sequence.

Step6: Answer question 11

Stars with a mass of about 8 times the mass of the Sun or more can produce a supernova. Among these stars, Regalus (6 x Sun) did not produce a supernova, while Beta Centauri (10 x Sun) likely did. So, roughly a star needs to be around 8 - 10 times the mass of the Sun to produce a supernova.

Step7: Answer question 12

Stars with a mass of about 20 times the mass of the Sun or more can form a black - hole at the end of their lives. Among these stars, Deneb (20 x Sun) and Alnilam (30 x Sun) are candidates for forming black - holes. So, roughly a star needs to be around 20 times the mass of the Sun or more to produce a black hole.

Answer:

1. Alnilam
2. Proxima Centauri
3. The more massive a star, the shorter its time on the main sequence because it burns nuclear fuel faster.
4. Around 8 - 10 times the mass of the Sun
5. Around 20 times the mass of the Sun or more