High School

Place the following steps of the evolution of a low-mass star in order:

a. A clump forms in a giant molecular cloud.
b. A protostar forms.
c. Hydrogen fusion begins.
d. The star moves onto the red giant branch.
e. A helium flash occurs.
f. The star moves onto the horizontal branch.
g. The star moves onto the asymptotic giant branch.
h. The star sheds mass, producing a nebula.
i. The white dwarf cools.

Answer :

Final answer:

The evolution of a low-mass star includes formation from a molecular cloud, main sequence, red giant branch, helium flash, horizontal branch, asymptotic giant branch, shedding mass, and finally becoming a white dwarf that cools over time.

Explanation:

The evolution of a low-mass star like our Sun can be placed in the following order:

  1. A clump forms in a giant molecular cloud. (c.)
  2. A protostar forms from the collapsing material. (f.)
  3. Hydrogen fusion begins, marking the birth of a star. (h.)
  4. The star evolves and moves onto the red giant branch, increasing in luminosity and radius. (d.)
  5. A helium flash occurs, which marks the beginning of helium burning in the core. (i.)
  6. The star moves onto the horizontal branch, where it achieves a stable state of helium fusion. (a.)
  7. The star moves onto the asymptotic giant branch, where it burns helium in a shell around a core of carbon and oxygen. (e.)
  8. The star sheds mass, creating a planetary nebula, and the exposed hot core is visible at the center. (g.)
  9. The star becomes a white dwarf and eventually cools down over billions of years. (b.)