How are elements created?
What physical processes lead to the evolution of stars?
Can observations of the present state of the universe predict the future outcome of the universe?
How is fusion like—and unlike—fission?
How can the understanding of black-body radiation help determine the properties of stars?
How do emission spectra provide information about observations of the cosmos?
HR diagrams have been helpful in the classification of stars by finding patterns in their properties. Which other areas of physics use classification to help our understanding? (NOS)
In which ways has technology helped to collect data from observations of distant stars? (NOS)
How can gas laws be used to model stars? (NOS)
B1 REVIEW quantitative analysis of energy transferred by radiation as a result of the emission of electromagnetic waves from the surface of a body, which in the case of a black body can be modelled by the Stefan-Boltzmann law as given by L = σAT(^4), where L is the luminosity, A is the surface area and T is the absolute temperature of the body
B1 the concept of apparent brightness b
B1 luminosity L of a body
B1 REVIEW the emission spectrum of a black body and the determination of the temperature of the body using Wien’s displacement law as given by λmaxT = 2 . 9 × 10(^−3)mK where λmax is the peak wavelength emitted.
C5 REVIEW that shifts in spectral lines provide information about the motion of bodies like stars and galaxies in space.
that the stability of stars relies on an equilibrium between outward radiation pressure and inward gravitational forces
that fusion is a source of energy in stars
the conditions leading to fusion in stars in terms of density and temperature
the effect of stellar mass on the evolution of a star
the main regions of the Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram and how to describe the main properties of stars in these regions
the use of stellar parallax as a method to determine the distance d to celestial bodies as given by d(parsec) = 1/p(arc‐second)
how to determine stellar radii.
Files to support your learning:
Presentation - Parallax and scaling
Resource - Parallax (notes and questions)
Support - Spectra matching task
Presentation - b, L Wein & Stefan Boltzmann
Resource: Wein & Stefan-Boltzman review
Resource - Thermal starter task
Support - Comparing fission and fusion
Presentation - Stellar evolution
Resource - Elements may have been made on Earth, Physics World, 2021
