How does mass affect a star's life?

The mass of a star is the primary factor that determines its lifecycle, including its longevity. More massive stars burn their nuclear fuel much more rapidly compared to less massive stars. This rapid consumption of fuel leads to shorter lifespans. For example, a massive star may only shine for a few million years, while a less massive star, like our Sun, can last for about ten billion years or more.

Mass also influences other aspects of a star's characteristics, such as its size and temperature; however, these are secondary effects compared to how mass fundamentally impacts a star's lifespan. The core processes of nuclear fusion that occur in stars are directly tied to their mass, with more massive stars producing energy through fusion at a much higher rate. Consequently, when considering how mass affects a star's overall life, the defining aspect is the length of that life, making this the correct choice.