Which of the following sequences correctly describes the stages of life for a low-mass star?
A)red giant,protostar,main-sequence,white dwarf
B)white dwarf,main-sequence,red giant,protostar
C)protostar,red giant,main-sequence,white dwarf
D)protostar,main-sequence,white dwarf,red giant
E)protostar,main-sequence,red giant,white dwarf

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a low-mass star begins its life, it is a protostar. Then, it enters the main-sequence phase where it spends the majority of its life fusing hydrogen in its core. As the star exhausts its fuel, it swells to become a red giant. Eventually, the outer layers will be lost, and the core will collapse to form a white dwarf. Thus, the correct sequence is protostar, main-sequence, red giant, white dwarf, which is described in option E.

Which of the Following Sequences Correctly Describes the Stages of Life