Using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (Figure 10-7 of Comins,Discovering the Essential Universe,6th ed.),determine which type of star has the following characteristics: surface temperature of 40,000 K,luminosity 100,000 times that of the Sun.
A) a cool, red, main-sequence star
B) a hot, blue, main-sequence star
C) a white dwarf
D) a red giant

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Based on the given characteristics, the star must be a hot and luminous object, which can be represented as a hot, blue, main-sequence star on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Red giants have lower surface temperatures than the given value, and white dwarfs have much lower luminosities than the given value. Cool, red, main-sequence stars also have lower surface temperatures and lower luminosities than the given values.

Using the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (Figure 10-7 of Comins,Discovering the Essential