Exam-style question
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Which of the following correctly describes the evolutionary fate of a star with a mass similar to the Sun after it leaves the main sequence?.
- A.It becomes a neutron star.
- B.It becomes a white dwarf.
- C.It becomes a black hole.
- D.It becomes a red supergiant that explodes immediately.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- It becomes a white dwarf.
Explanation
Why this works
A solar‑mass star expands into a red giant, then sheds its outer layers to form a planetary nebula, leaving behind a hot core that cools as a white dwarf. This is the typical post‑main‑sequence path for low‑mass stars.
Common mistake
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