UPSC Prelims 2024
Science & Technology
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars.
Statement-II: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
* Statement-I is incorrect: Giant stars do not live much longer than dwarf stars. In fact, giant stars have shorter lifespans compared to dwarf stars because they burn through their nuclear fuel at a much faster rate. * Statement-II is correct: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions. This is correct as giant stars are more massive and have higher pressures and temperatures in their cores, leading to faster nuclear fusion rates.