You discover a binary star system in which one member is a15 solar mass main- sequence star and the other star is a 10 solar mass giant star. How do we believe that a star system such as this might have come to exist?
A)Although both stars probably formed from the same clump of gas, the more massive one must have had its birth slowed so that it became a main- sequence star millions of years later than its less massive companion.
B)The main- sequence star probably is a pulsating variable star and therefore appears to be less massive than it really is.
C)The two stars probably were once separate but became a binary when a close encounter allowed their mutual gravity to pull them together.
D)Other than the very low odds of finding a system with two such massive stars, there is nothing surprising about the fact that such systems exist.
E)The giant must once have been the more massive star but transferred some of its mass to its companion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The giant star, being more evolved, must have once been the more massive of the two. Over time, it transferred some of its mass to the companion star, which is why the companion star is now more massive and still on the main sequence, while the original more massive star has evolved into a giant.

You Discover a Binary Star System in Which One Member