Astronomy quiz question: red dwarf energy source

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, fall semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

The energy source in the core of a red dwarf is:
(A) hydrogen fusion.
(B) gravitational contraction.
(C) fusion of elements heavier than hydrogen.
(D) radioactive decay.
(E) (Does not produce energy.)

Correct answer: (A).

A red dwarf is a low-mass main sequence star, which produces energy from fusing hydrogen into helium during its (extremely long) main sequence lifetime.

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz05nUc7
(A) : 15 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 3 students
(E) : 5 students

Success level: 61% (including partial credit for multiple-choice)
Discrimination index (Aubrecht & Aubrecht, 1983): 0.73