A Red Giant Star Is Found to Be Orbiting an Unseen

question 81

Multiple Choice

A red giant star is found to be orbiting an unseen object with a short orbital period.By measuring the speed at which it orbits, astronomers deduce that the unseen object has a mass of 10 M_SUN.This object is probably a ________ because ________.

• A) black hole; the giant star is massive and could be in orbit only about something even more massive
• B) black hole; its mass is too large to be a neutron star or a white dwarf
• C) neutron star; any supernova that would have made a black hole would have destroyed the red giant
• D) M-dwarf star; only such stars would be faint enough to go unseen in this system
• E) black hole; most red giants orbit neutron stars, and neutron stars can turn into black holes

---

Definitions:

Classical Conditioning

A method of learning whereby a response originally produced by the second of two repeatedly associated stimuli is ultimately provoked by the first stimulus on its own.

Hypodermic Needle

A thin, hollow needle used for injecting substances into the body or extracting fluids from it.

Dependent

Relating to a person who relies on another for support, particularly in the context of mental or physical health.

Soldier's Disease

A term historically used to describe morphine addiction, especially among soldiers during and after the American Civil War.