What is the typical effective surface temperature range for K-type main-sequence stars?
Answer
Approximately 3,900 K and 5,200 K.
K-type main-sequence stars occupy a specific temperature bracket that places them cooler than the Sun (G-type) but hotter than M-type red dwarfs. The specified range for their effective surface temperatures is quantitatively defined as starting around 3,900 Kelvin and extending up to about 5,200 Kelvin. This specific thermal property dictates the distinct spectral lines observed, which include the presence of neutral metals and certain molecular bands, setting them apart spectroscopically from hotter stellar classes.
Related Questions
What is the typical effective surface temperature range for K-type main-sequence stars?What solar mass threshold typically separates K-type stars from the less massive M-type red dwarfs?What specific spectral features distinguish K-type stars from hotter, earlier spectral classes?What primary nuclear process are K-type main-sequence stars performing in their cores?How do the typical diameters of K-type stars compare to the Sun's diameter ($1.39$ million kilometers)?What makes the main sequence lifespan of a K-type star dramatically longer than the Sun's expected duration?How is the categorization of K-type stars described when compared to the most common, smallest stars in the galaxy?What fundamental property links a star's mass to its resulting characteristics like luminosity and temperature?Why are K-type stars considered favorable targets for long-term study or potential interstellar colonization compared to M-dwarfs?How does the energy output of a K-type star with $0.7 M_ ext{sun}$ compare to a G-type star with $1.0 M_ ext{sun}$?