What fundamental property dictates a star’s timeline and evolutionary fate?
Answer
Initial mass
The initial mass of a star is identified as the fundamental determinant governing its entire life story, including its evolutionary pathway and the total duration it will exist. A greater initial mass imposes stronger gravitational forces, necessitating a higher rate of nuclear fusion to maintain hydrostatic equilibrium against collapse. This higher energy production directly translates to a drastically reduced lifespan, meaning massive stars evolve significantly faster than average or low-mass stars, leading to either a gentle fade or a cataclysmic supernova explosion based on this starting parameter.
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