Why Does the Luminosity of a High-Mass Star Remain Nearly

question 18

Multiple Choice

Why does the luminosity of a high-mass star remain nearly constant as the star burns heavy elements in its core,even though it is producing millions of times more energy per second than it did on the main sequence?

• A) Most of the energy is trapped in the core,increasing the core's temperature.
• B) All of the extra energy goes into heating the shells of fusion surrounding the core.
• C) Most of the energy is absorbed by the outer layers of the star,increasing the star's radius but leaving its luminosity unchanged.
• D) Most of the energy is carried out of the star by escaping neutrinos.

---

Definitions:

Fundamental Breach

A severe violation of a contract that allows the aggrieved party to terminate the agreement and possibly seek damages.

Strict Interpretation

The judicial practice of applying a narrow, literal, and precise reading of legal texts or statutes.

Force Majeure Clause

A contract term anticipating some catastrophic event usually exempting liability when such an event interferes with performance of the contract.

Catastrophic Event

An unexpected, large-scale disaster that causes significant -physical, economical or environmental damage or loss of life.