A solar mass star&10 solar mass each use 10% of mass as fuel for their luminosity which1 runs out of fuel1st?
Question:
Answer:
at the same time, though the second is just at the threshold for the possibility of a blackhole forming..if I remember last years science course right.
The bigger one.
The determining factor in the life of a star is its mass. The more massive a star the greater its energy output and the faster it evolves (changes).
The guide that astronomers use to stellar evolution is called the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Stars on the main-sequence generate energy by converting (via fusion) hydrogen into helium. As stars use up their hydrogen fuel, they evolve off the main-sequence into the giant or supergiant phase.
During these stages stars may "burn" helium or other even heavier elements as the core of the star reaches higher and higher temperatures and densities. How far this process proceeds depends on the initial mass of the star. The lowest mass stars will never go beyond hydrogen burning while the highest mass stars can produce elements all the way up to iron in their cores.
Light stars take a VERY long time to move off the main sequence. Heavy stars move off into the giant phase MUCH faster.
Why? Because heavy stars BURN HOTTER for two reasons, first, gravitationally, the core is compressed more, and so the density and the reaction rate is higher, and second, the VOLUME of the fusing core is higher in the heavier star (greater radius) so more atomic nucleus are reacting at any given moment.
The simulation from Cornell linked below shows the evolution of a star in the H-R diagram. To see a star evolve, simply click on the star or choose a mass with the slide bar and press go. The total evolution of the star will take place over a period of 10 seconds, with the star spending the correct relative amount of time at each step. You can also proceed through the evolution one step at a time using the step button.
Higher mass stars evolve more rapidly because their greater heat makes them use up their hydrogen faster. A one solar mass star such as the Sun is good for about 6.5 billion years on the Main Sequence, and another 1.2 billion before becoming a white dwarf.
A ten solar mass star will last no longer than 40 million years on the Main Sequence, and will then evolve to a giant and nova. The remnant will form a white dwarf most likely.w
More Questions & Answers...