- Computer with internet
- Star in a Box worksheets
An activity exploring the life-cycle of stars using the Star in a Box interactive web resource. This activity is for advanced level students either doing A-level physics (or other national equivalent for 16-18 year olds) or the most advanced GCSE students (or equivalent 16 year olds). This activity would fit well within an introductory course for university and community college students.
Star in a Box app is available from the Las Cumbres Observatory website.
Click the play button below the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to show the Sun’s evolution.
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 Hertzsprung-Russell diagram:
There are three possible outcomes for the final stage of a stars life depending on its initial mass. Name these 3 possible final stages.
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 Luminosity (L sun ) |
Maximum Temperature (K) | Name of Final Stage | Total Lifespan (Myr) |
0.2 | ||||
1 | ||||
6 | ||||
20 | ||||
40 |
Answers are available to download and in the attachments section.
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 |
The Spanish version of "Star in a Box: Advanced" translated by Mariana Lanzara, proofread by Pau Ramos and reviewed by Dr. Amelia Ortiz-Gil for the Astronomy Translation Network project .
The activity finishes when the students have completed the worksheets. The teacher should discuss the range of answers the students had for some of the later questions on each worksheet.