Short Answer
Half the gravitational energy released heats the star is the best answer.
Astrophysics questions often combine observation with first-principles physics. The winning move is to connect the measurement being made, such as luminosity, spectrum, redshift, or orbit, to the physical model behind it.
For a self-gravitating body, the virial theorem gives E_thermal = −½E_gravitational; half of released grav PE heats the star.
Why This Answer Is Correct
This is a Hard-level question in Astrophysics & Cosmology. The prompt is really testing whether you can connect the concept to its defining physical relationship instead of picking a nearby-but-wrong term.
Good astrophysics reasoning always asks what the telescope actually measured and what physical quantity that measurement traces.
Choices At A Glance
- A. All released gravitational energy is radiated away
- B. Half the gravitational energy released heats the star
- C. The star's temperature drops
- D. Magnetic energy equals gravitational energy
When similar options appear on an exam, eliminate the ones that break the core law, use the wrong units, or confuse a definition with a consequence.
Topic Snapshot
Topic: Astrophysics & Cosmology
Difficulty: Hard
Best next move: Re-state the governing law in your own words, then solve one more example from the same topic before moving on.