QQuestionAstronomy
QuestionAstronomy
What type of star has a high temperature but a low luminosity?
4 months agoReport content
Answer
Full Solution Locked
Sign in to view the complete step-by-step solution and unlock all study resources.
Step 1: Understand the problem
To solve this problem, we need to understand the relationship between a star's temperature and luminosity. In general, hotter stars have higher luminosities because they emit more energy. However, there is an exception to this rule: white dwarfs. White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel and shed their outer layers, leaving behind a hot core. Despite their high temperature, white dwarfs have low luminosities because they are much smaller than main-sequence stars.
Step 2: Define the terms
Temperature: the internal heat of an object, usually measured in Kelvin (K) Luminosity: the total amount of energy emitted by an object per unit of time, usually measured in watts (W) or multiples thereof (e.g., solar luminosities, L☉)
Final Answer
A star with a high temperature but a low luminosity is most likely a white dwarf.
Need Help with Homework?
Stuck on a difficult problem? We've got you covered:
- Post your question or upload an image
- Get instant step-by-step solutions
- Learn from our AI and community of students