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The chart shows characteristics of stars:

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
\text{Color} & \text{Surface Temperature (K)} & \text{Average Mass (solar mass)} \\
\hline
\text{Blue} & \ \textgreater \ 25,000 & 60 \\
\hline
\text{Blue} & 11,000-25,000 & 18 \\
\hline
\text{Blue to white} & 7,500-11,000 & 3.2 \\
\hline
\text{White} & 6,000-7,500 & 1.7 \\
\hline
\text{White to yellow} & 5,000-6,000 & 1.1 \\
\hline
\text{Orange} & 3,500-5,000 & 0.8 \\
\hline
\text{Red} & \ \textless \ 3,500 & 0.3 \\
\hline
\end{array}
\][/tex]

Sirius is a blue-white star with a surface temperature of about 9800 K. What is most likely the mass of Sirius?

A. 1.0 solar mass
B. 1.4 solar mass
C. 2.0 solar mass
D. 3.2 solar mass



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
Given the table of star characteristics, let's find the average mass of Sirius, a star with a surface temperature of about 9800 K.

1. Identify the temperature range for Sirius:
- Sirius has a surface temperature of 9800 K.
- According to the table, the temperature range for blue to white stars is [tex]\( 7500-11,000 \)[/tex] K.

2. Determine the mass corresponding to the temperature range:
- For stars with temperatures in the range [tex]\( 7500-11,000 \)[/tex] K, the average mass is 3.2 solar masses.

3. Compare the given options with the calculated mass:
- The calculated mass for Sirius is 3.2 solar masses.
- The given answer choices are:
- 1.0 solar mass
- 1.4 solar mass
- 2.0 solar mass

4. Select the answer closest to the calculated mass:
- The closest given option to 3.2 solar masses is 2.0 solar masses.

Hence, the most likely mass of Sirius is 2.0 solar masses.