Download Lifecycle of Stars

Life Cycle of a Star
Integrated Science
Name:
Date:
Pd:
Background:
Do you ever wonder if our Sun will go supernova and turn into a black hole? When will it happen? What will happen
to us? Although stars enjoy a long and illuminating life on the main sequence, they experience growing pains as well as the
pangs of stellar age. Astronomers investigate stars at different ages to piece together the evolution of star. The purpose of this
assignment is to understand that stars have a specific life cycle and that its life cycle is dependent upon its mass.
Focus Questions:
What is nuclear fusion?
What are the stages in a star’s life cycle?
How are stars formed?
Procedures Part 1:
1) Cut out the words on the sheet provided by your teacher
2) Using the words, create four different star life timelines from birth to death; one timeline for a low mass star (<0.5
solar masses), a medium mass star (0.6 – 1.5 solar masses), and two different high mass stars (1.5 – 3 solar masses and
>3 solar masses). All words will be used.
3) When you have created four different timelines, have your teacher approve them.
4) Divide the back of this paper into four sections and record your four approved timelines before moving on to Part 2.
Procedures Part 2:
1) Once your teacher has approved each word timeline and you have recorded them on the back of this page, you will
create a personal poster that visually displays the four life cycles. You will work in table teams to complete this
process, but you will each create your own mini-poster.
2) Use your notes, computer, and reading questions to complete the following:
a. Name of star stage
b. Color drawing of the star stage
c. Description of what’s happening at that stage
d. Real example of stellar stage (ex: for “red supergiant” you might put Betelgeuse).
Note: Betelgeuse is expected to become a neutron star when it dies, so it would only fit into ONE
timeline…be careful what examples you put in each!
Conclusion:
1) Explain in detail the relationship between stellar life cycle and mass. Why do more massive stars have more violent deaths?
2) How does star temperature determine color. Explain and give two examples.
3) What will happen to our sun when it moves off the main sequence? What does that mean for Earth’s future? What will be
the end stage for our sun?
Supernova Protostar Planetary nebula Protostar Red main sequence star White dwarf Nebula Nebula Nebula Supernova Yellow Main sequence star White dwarf Black dwarf Red supergiant Red giant Black dwarf Neutron star Black hole Protostar Nebula Blue Main sequence star Protostar Red supergiant White main sequence star