A massive protostar is more luminous than a low-mass protostar because it:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A massive protostar is more luminous than a low-mass protostar because it had more potential gravitational energy before it collapsed. This energy is converted into thermal energy, which causes the protostar to heat up and emit more light. Fusion reactions occur in both massive and low-mass protostars, but the main source of energy in the early stages of star formation is the release of gravitational potential energy. Temperature and the release of thermal energy are not factors that determine the luminosity of protostars.

A Massive Protostar Is More Luminous Than a Low-Mass Protostar