When nuclear fuel is gone, star collapses due to gravity.

When nuclear fuel is gone, star collapses due to gravity.

• A. Protostar
• B. White Dwarf
• C. Black Hole
• D. Death of a star

Answer: (D)

When a star runs out of nuclear fuel, the outward pressure from fusion drops and gravity can no longer be balanced, causing the core to collapse. The phrase “Death of a star” captures this end-of-life process, since the star can no longer sustain its light and structure and ends its stable burning phase. The exact outcome after collapse depends on the star’s mass: lighter stars end as white dwarfs, heavier ones may explode and leave neutron stars or black holes. Other options describe specific stages (like a protostar before fusion begins or a black hole only for very massive stars) and don’t convey the general end-of-life idea as effectively as the general “death of a star.”

When a star runs out of nuclear fuel, the outward pressure from fusion drops and gravity can no longer be balanced, causing the core to collapse. The phrase “Death of a star” captures this end-of-life process, since the star can no longer sustain its light and structure and ends its stable burning phase. The exact outcome after collapse depends on the star’s mass: lighter stars end as white dwarfs, heavier ones may explode and leave neutron stars or black holes. Other options describe specific stages (like a protostar before fusion begins or a black hole only for very massive stars) and don’t convey the general end-of-life idea as effectively as the general “death of a star.”