What is the approximate main-sequence lifespan for a star with ten solar masses, classified as an O-type star?
Answer
A mere 20 million years
High-mass stars, despite having more fuel reserves than Sun-like stars, consume that fuel at an exponentially faster rate, leading to drastically shorter total lifespans. The text illustrates this comparison vividly: while the Sun lasts about 10 billion years, a star ten times the Sun's mass, an O-type star, is predicted to depart the main sequence in only about 20 million years. This rapid burnout is necessary to generate the massive energy output required to maintain hydrostatic equilibrium against the crushing inward pressure generated by its immense gravity.
#Videos
Why Massive Stars Form Faster Than Low Mass Stars - YouTube
Related Questions
What is the approximate assembly time for a star fifteen times the Sun's mass during pre-main sequence contraction?What is the primary physical driver accelerating the assembly of high-mass protostars?For high-mass protostars, what mechanism allows energy to escape during contraction, leading to rapid core stabilization?During contraction, what is the approximate luminosity scaling relationship for high-mass stars relative to their mass ($M$)?What is the inverse scaling relationship governing the contraction timescale ($ au$) for high-mass stars based on mass ($M$)?In contrast to high-mass stars, what limits energy transport outwards in cooler, low-mass protostars?What is the approximate main-sequence lifespan for a star with ten solar masses, classified as an O-type star?The relationship quantifying faster fuel consumption in massive stars is known by what specific term?What is the duration of the carbon-burning phase in the post-main sequence evolution of high-mass stars?What observational consequence arises because high-mass stars are built fast and live short, spectacular lives?