Which of the following best describes what happens when a small star dies?

• A. It explodes as a supernova.
• B. It collapses into a black hole.
• C. It becomes a white dwarf.
• D. It forms a neutron star.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the lifecycle of a star: Stars undergo different fates depending on their mass. Small stars, like our Sun, follow a specific path in their lifecycle.
2. Learn about the end stages of a small star: When a small star exhausts its nuclear fuel, it sheds its outer layers, forming a planetary nebula, leaving behind the core.
3. Identify the remnant core: The core left behind is no longer undergoing fusion and becomes a dense, hot object known as a white dwarf.
4. Compare the outcomes of different star masses: Larger stars may explode as supernovae, form neutron stars, or collapse into black holes, but small stars do not have enough mass for these events.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'It becomes a white dwarf,' as this is the typical fate of a small star after it dies.