SC15.ESS.3

Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Earth and Space Science

SC15.ESS.3
Evaluate and communicate scientific information (e.g., Hertzsprung-Russell diagram) in reference to the life cycle of stars using data of both atomic emission and absorption spectra of stars to make inferences about the presence of certain elements.

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Crosscutting Concepts

Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Knowledge

Students know:

The study of the stars' light spectra and brightness is used to identify compositional elements of stars, their movements, and their distances from Earth.
Nuclear fusion within stars produces all atomic nuclei lighter than and including iron, and the process releases electromagnetic energy (other than hydrogen and helium).
Heavier elements are produced when certain massive stars achieve a supernova stage and explode.

Skills

Students are able to:

Communicate scientific information (using oral, graphical, textual, or mathematical formats) and cite origin as appropriate.

Understanding

Students understand that:

In nuclear processes, atoms are not conserved, but the total number of protons plus neutrons is conserved.

Vocabulary

Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
temperature
luminosity
planetary nebula
main sequence
red giant
white dwarf
neutron star
black hole
event horizon
blackbody curve
Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Wien's Law
emission spectrum
absorption spectrum
continuous spectrum
classification
nuclear fusion
Balmer series for Hydrogen

Aligned Learning Resources

Hands-On Activity: Can You Locate the Sun on the H-R Diagram?

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