Download Life Cycle 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 timelines before moving on to Part 2
(Note: Leave space in each for additional details to be added later!)
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 large poster that visually displays the four life cycles.
2) Use your notes, RQs, video notes and a computer or phone 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 (you only need to describe a stage one time. For example, a
nebula only needs to be described in one of the four timelines, but red giant AND red supergiant would
have to be described)
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 (handwrite your answers on the back of your poster):
1) Explain in detail the relationship between stellar life cycle and mass. Why do more massive stars have more
violent deaths?
2) What does a star’s color tell us about that star. Explain and give two examples. Be detailed.
3) What will happen to our sun when it moves off the main sequence? Explain in detail what will happen to the
sun over the next several billion years and what this will mean for Earth.