The larger the protostar mass, the ______ its protostar phase will last.*1 pointshorterlonger

The correct answer is shorter.

Explanation

The protostar phase is a critical period in the formation of stars, where a cloud of gas and dust collapses under its own gravity to form a dense region that eventually develops into a star. The mass of the protostar significantly influences the duration of this phase.

1. Higher Mass Implications: Large protostars have stronger gravitational forces, causing them to accumulate mass more rapidly. This quicker accumulation leads to a faster increase in temperature and pressure at their cores.

2. Nuclear Fusion Initiation: Once the core temperature is sufficient, nuclear fusion reactions begin, converting hydrogen into helium. This marks the transition from the protostar phase to the main sequence phase of a star.

3. Comparison with Smaller Protostars: In contrast, lower mass protostars take longer to reach the necessary conditions for fusion, resulting in a much longer protostar phase. Consequently, high-mass protostars evolve swiftly due to their efficient conversion of gravitational energy to thermal energy.

In summary, the greater the mass of the protostar, the shorter its protostar phase lasts because it reaches the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion much quicker than lower-mass protostars.