In order to predict whether a star will eventually fuse oxygen into a heavier element, you mainly want to know what fact about the star?
A)its luminosity
B)how much oxygen it now has in its core
C)its mass
D)its overall abundance of elements heavier than helium

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fusion of oxygen into heavier elements is triggered by the gravitational compression of the star's core, which requires a minimum mass of about 8 times that of the Sun. Therefore, knowing the mass of the star is the most important factor in determining whether it will undergo oxygen fusion.

In Order to Predict Whether a Star Will Eventually Fuse