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 10,000 K,luminosity 1/100 times that of the Sun.
A) a red supergiant
B) a main-sequence star
C) a white dwarf
D) a red giant

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A star with surface temperature of 10,000 K and luminosity 1/100 times that of the Sun would be a white dwarf according to the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This is because white dwarfs are small and hot, with high surface temperatures but low luminosities. Main-sequence stars, red giants, and red supergiants all have higher luminosities than what is given in the question.

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