Question

question 18 of 25
what will happen to the sun after it loses so much mass that its gravity becomes weaker?
a. it will expand and become a red giant, then eventually shrink to become a white dwarf.
b. it will collapse and become a white dwarf, then eventually expand to become a red giant.
c. it will expand and become a white dwarf, then eventually shrink to become a red giant.
d. it will collapse and become a red giant, then eventually shrink to become a white dwarf.

Explanation:

When the Sun loses mass and its gravity weakens, it first runs out of hydrogen fuel in its core. The core contracts while the outer layers expand due to the energy released from the hydrogen - burning shell around the core, turning it into a red giant. After the red - giant phase, the outer layers are shed and the core collapses to form a white dwarf.

Answer:

A. It will expand and become a red giant, then eventually shrink to become a white dwarf.