- Computer with internet
- Star in a Box worksheets
With this Activity, students will learn in an interactive and fun way about the lifecycle of different stars using an App called "Star in a Box". They will discover the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram that describes the relationship between a star's mass and its age.
To know more about how stars evolve, take a look at the SpaceBook pages about the life cycle of stars.
You can also learn more about Hertzsprung-Russell diagram on SpaceBook.
Star in a Box app is available at https://starinabox.lco.global
Click the play button below the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to show the Sun’s evolution.
Use the table below to describe the changes the Sun will go through between stages.
Radius | Luminosity | Temperature | Mass | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 to Stage 2 |
. . . Increase
From: . . . R sun To: . . . R sun |
. . . Increase
From: . . . L sun To: . . . L sun |
. . . Increase
From: . . . K To: . . . K |
. . . Increase
From: . . . M sun To: . . . M sun |
Stage 2 to Stage 3 |
. . . Increase
From: . . . R sun To: . . . R sun |
. . . Increase
From: . . . L sun To: . . . L sun |
. . . Increase
From: . . . K To: . . . K |
. . . Increase
From: . . . M sun To: . . . M sun |
Using the ‘Star Properties’ banner, explore the evolution of stars with different starting masses.
Select a different starting mass for your star in the ‘Star Properties’ banner.
Using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram tab, click play to watch your new stars evolution.
Try out a few different masses then answer the following questions.
Using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram:
Follow the evolution of five stars of different masses.
Complete the table below, filling in a row for each of the different masses. Hint: You may find it easier to use the data table on the ‘Star in a Box’ to find the exact values.
Mass of Star (M sun ) | Maximum Radius (R sun ) | Maximum Luminosity (L sun )(Brightness) | Maximum Temperature (K) | Name of Final Stage | Total Lifespan (Myr) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.2 | |||||
1 | |||||
6 | |||||
20 | |||||
40 |
Study the data for the different stars in your table above.
Multiple choice questions. Choose the correct answer.
The answers are available in the following document: worksheet answers
The accuracy of their answers to the question can form the basis of the evaluation of students’ understanding. However, more detailed feedback can be obtained by talking to individual students about their understanding.
Country | Level | Subject | Exam Board | Section |
---|---|---|---|---|
UK | GCSE | Physics | AQA Science A | Not in current curriculum |
UK | GCSE | Physics | Edexcel | P1.3: 11, 12, 13 |
UK | GCSE | Physics | OCR A | P7.3.8; P7.4: 22-28 |
UK | GCSE | Physics | OCR B | P2h |
UK | GCSE | Physics | WJEC | Physics 3.5: b, c, d, g, j |
UK | GCSE | Astrophysics | Edexcel | Unit 1.3: 3o-q, 4a, 4c |
UK | A level | Physics | AQA | 3.9.2.5 |
UK | A level | Physics | Edexcel | Topic 10: 159, 160 |
UK | A level | Physics | OCR A | 5.5.1: c, e, g |
UK | A level | Physics | OCR B | 5.1.3: b, c |
UK | A level | Physics | WJEC | Unit 1 6d) |
UK | KS3 | Physics | - | Space Physics: Our Sun as a Star |
UK | KS2: Year 5 | Science | - | Earth and Space |
Questions in the exercise workbook could be made into a multiple choice quiz using a website or an app such as Socrative https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/teacher-clicker-socrative/id477620120?mt=8.
The Spanish version of "Star in a Box: High School" translated by Mariana Lanzara, proofread by Pau Ramos and reviewed by Dr. Amelia Ortiz-Gil for the Astronomy Translation Network project .