Assume that all four H-R diagrams below represent a star in different stages of its life, after it starts to fuse hydrogen in its core. Rank the HR diagrams based on when each stage occurs, from first to last.

The right answer for the question that is being asked and shown above is that: "1-4-3-2." (main sequence-->red giant-->supergiant-->white dwarf). Assume that all four H-R diagrams below represent a star in different stages of its life, after it starts to fuse hydrogen in its core.

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jamuuj jamuuj · Answer 2 · 2018-10-24T07:26:27+02:00

Answer and explanation;

-The diagram at the left represents the Sun (or any other one-solar-mass star) as a hydrogen-burning main-sequence star, with spectral type G and one solar luminosity. The next diagram shows the Sun after it has exhausted its core hydrogen and left the main sequence, making it a sub-giant with energy generated by hydrogen burning in a shell around an inert helium core.

-The third diagram shows the Sun a little later; its energy source is still hydrogen shell burning, but at this point it has expanded in size so much that it is a red giant. The final diagram (far right) shows the white dwarf corpse of a one-solar-mass star; it is hot because it is the exposed core of the dead star, but dim because it is small in size.