Stars containing 1 4 solar masses will end up becoming

What is the maximum mass a star can end its life with?

The maximum mass that a star can have to become a white dwarf is called the Chandrasekhar limit. 1.4 MSun is the upper limit for this process. Stars with end-of-life masses that exceed this limit have a different kind of end in store.

How can a low-mass star increase its mass to 1.4 Msun?

In my astronomy class I learned that a only low-mass stars (< 0.5 Msun) will contract, and then become degenerate, until it is a white dwarf. However, we also learned about the Chandrasekhar limit, which states white dwarfs have a maximum mass of 1.4 Msun.

What happens to stars like the Sun after losing mass?

Stars like the Sun will probably lose about 45% of their initial mass and become white dwarfs with masses less than 1.4 MSun.

How many stars are there if mass increases?

The number of stars decreases as mass increases. Really massive stars are rare. This is similar to the music business where only a few musicians ever become superstars. Furthermore, many stars with an initial mass much greater than 1.4 MSun will be reduced to that level by the time they die.

What happens to stars with an initial mass much greater than 1.4 MSun?

Furthermore, many stars with an initial mass much greater than 1.4 MSun will be reduced to that level by the time they die. The number of stars decreases as mass increases; really massive stars are rare (see The Stars: A Celestial Census ). This is similar to the music business where only a few musicians ever become superstars.

Can degenerate electrons stop a star from becoming a white dwarf?

The calculations show that even the force of degenerate electrons cannot stop the collapse of a star with more mass than 1.4 MSun. This mass limit, called the Chandrasekhar limit, is the maximum mass that a star can have to become a white dwarf.