What single, massive factor profoundly determines a star's lifespan?
Answer
Its initial mass
The lifespan of a star is fundamentally dictated by its initial mass. This relationship is inverse: a greater initial mass requires the nuclear fusion reaction in the core to operate at a much higher intensity to counteract the star's own immense gravitational collapse. This higher energy output translates directly into a significantly faster rate of hydrogen fuel consumption. Consequently, stars born with greater mass burn through their fuel reserves rapidly, resulting in shorter lifespans measured perhaps in millions of years, while less massive stars conserve their fuel over much longer timescales.
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