The star Alpha Centauri A is the same type of star as the Sun, but its luminosity is about 1.6 times that of the Sun. What can we conclude?
A)Alpha Centauri A is much farther from Earth than the Sun.
B)Alpha Centauri A fuses hydrogen into helium in its core at a higher rate than our Sun.
C)Alpha Centauri A must have a vastly different interior structure than the Sun.
D)Alpha Centauri A has a much higher surface temperature than the Sun.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The higher luminosity of Alpha Centauri A compared to the Sun suggests that it must be fusing hydrogen into helium in its core at a faster rate than the Sun, which is what makes it brighter. The other options are not necessarily supported by the given information.

The Star Alpha Centauri a Is the Same Type of Star