Astronomy quiz question: low-mass stars in young star cluster

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, Fall Semester 2010
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Low-mass stars in a young star cluster will be in their __________ stage.
(A) protostar.
(B) main sequence.
(C) supergiant.
(D) (There cannot be low-mass stars in a young star cluster.)

Correct answer: (A)

Since low-mass stars take the longest time to develop from protostars to main sequence stars, a young star cluster will have massive stars that may have already become supergiants, while the medium mass stars are on the main sequence, and the low-mass stars are still protostars.

Section 70160
(A) : 23 students
(B) : 8 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 2 students

"Success level": 71% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.67