Chapter 33, Problem 4RAT

To determine

The correct option for the statement "The property of a star that relates to the amount of energy it is producing is its”.

Answer to Problem 4RAT

The correct option for the statement "The property of a star that relates to the amount of energy it is producing is its” option (a).

Explanation of Solution

Luminosity is the term that refers to the total energy released by a star into space. The luminosity of a star is determined using the Sun’s luminosity. It refers to the intrinsic brightness of a star based on the energy emitted by it. It does not give the measure of the brightness of a star as felt by an observer on the Earth.

Apparent brightness is defined as the brightness of a star as visible to our eyes. This quantity gives the brightness of a star as felt by an observer on the Earth.

Different colors of light are at different frequencies. The peak frequency of the light radiation emitted by an object varies directly with the temperature of the object. Thus, the color of stars varies with the surface temperature. Therefore, color is a property of surface temperature.

Volume is the space occupied by a substance. The volume of a star does not have any relation to the energy emitted by it.

The mass is the property of a star, which determines the stages through which the star passes. It is a factor which gives an idea about the age of stars. The age of massive stars is lesser than the age of low mass stars.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct option for the statement "The property of a star that relates to the amount of energy it is producing is its" is option (a).