Answer :
Given the table of star characteristics, let's find the average mass of Sirius, a star with a surface temperature of about 9800 K.
1. Identify the temperature range for Sirius:
- Sirius has a surface temperature of 9800 K.
- According to the table, the temperature range for blue to white stars is [tex]\( 7500-11,000 \)[/tex] K.
2. Determine the mass corresponding to the temperature range:
- For stars with temperatures in the range [tex]\( 7500-11,000 \)[/tex] K, the average mass is 3.2 solar masses.
3. Compare the given options with the calculated mass:
- The calculated mass for Sirius is 3.2 solar masses.
- The given answer choices are:
- 1.0 solar mass
- 1.4 solar mass
- 2.0 solar mass
4. Select the answer closest to the calculated mass:
- The closest given option to 3.2 solar masses is 2.0 solar masses.
Hence, the most likely mass of Sirius is 2.0 solar masses.
1. Identify the temperature range for Sirius:
- Sirius has a surface temperature of 9800 K.
- According to the table, the temperature range for blue to white stars is [tex]\( 7500-11,000 \)[/tex] K.
2. Determine the mass corresponding to the temperature range:
- For stars with temperatures in the range [tex]\( 7500-11,000 \)[/tex] K, the average mass is 3.2 solar masses.
3. Compare the given options with the calculated mass:
- The calculated mass for Sirius is 3.2 solar masses.
- The given answer choices are:
- 1.0 solar mass
- 1.4 solar mass
- 2.0 solar mass
4. Select the answer closest to the calculated mass:
- The closest given option to 3.2 solar masses is 2.0 solar masses.
Hence, the most likely mass of Sirius is 2.0 solar masses.