Astronomy quiz question: evolution to stellar remnants

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, Fall Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[Version 1]

[4.0 points.] Which type of main-sequence star will eventually become a neutron star?
(A) Massive.
(B) Medium-mass.
(C) Low-mass.
(D) (None of the above choices.)

Section 70158
(A) : 34 students
(B) : 16 students
(C) : 8 students
(D) : 8 students

Correct answer: (A)

"Mass is destiny." Massive stars will become either neutron stars, or black holes; medium-mass stars will become white dwarfs, while low-mass stars become (and remain) red dwarfs, at least for now, given the current age of the universe.

"Difficulty level": 54%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.95

[Version 2]

[4.0 points.] Which type of main-sequence star will eventually become a white dwarf?
(A) Massive.
(B) Medium-mass.
(C) Low-mass.
(D) (None of the above choices.)

Section 70160
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 20 students
(C) : 5 students
(D) : 5 students

Correct answer: (B)

"Difficulty level": 69%
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.42