Lab 6 - Mike Jacobs

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Collin County Community College District *

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1403

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Astronomy

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Oct 30, 2023

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NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 1/8 Lab 6: HR Diagram Worksheet Name: _________________________________________________________ CWID: _________________________________________________________ Background Information Work through the background sections on Spectral Classification, Luminosity, and the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram within the HR Diagram NAAP lab. Enter your answers to each question in the data tables and indicated spaces below. Question 1 : The table below summarizes the relationship between spectral type, temperature, and color for stars. Fill in the missing blanks in the table. Note that the surface temperature of the stars in the table increases. Star Surface Temperature (K) Spectral Type Color Betelgeuse M2 Arcturus 4,300 G2 Yellow Procyon A F5 Yellow-White Sirius A A1 White Rigel A 11,000 Delta Orionis O9

NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 2/8 Question 2: Complete the following table related to stellar luminosities in solar units using the equation L = R 2 · T 4 Radius (R ⊙ ) Temperature (T ⊙ ) Luminosity (L ⊙ ) 1 1 1 2 1 9 1 1/2 Question 3: The mass luminosity relation L = M 3.5 describes the mathematical relationship between luminosity and mass for main sequence stars. Use this relationship to complete the following statements: A star with a mass of 2 M ⊙ would have a luminosity of ________________ L ⊙ A star with luminosity of 3,160 L ⊙ would have a mass of ______________ M ⊙ .

NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 3/8 HR Diagram Explorer Open the HR Diagram Explorer. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the capabilities of the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Explorer through experimentation. • An actual HR Diagram is provided in the upper right panel with an active location indicated by a red x. This active location can be dragged around the diagram. The options panel allows you to control the variables plotted on the x-axis: (temperature, B- V, or spectral type) and those plotted on the y-axis (luminosity or absolute magnitude). One can also show the main sequence, luminosity classes, isoradius lines, or the instability strip. The Plotted Stars panel allows you to add various groups of stars to the diagram. • The Cursor Properties panel has sliders for the temperature and luminosity of the active location on the HR Diagram. These can control the values of the active location or move in response to the active location begin dragged. The temperature and luminosity (in solar units) are used to solve for the radius of a star at the active location. • The Size Comparison panel in the upper left illustrates the star corresponding to the active location on the HR Diagram. Note that the size of the sun remains constant.

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NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 4/8 Exercises • Drag the active location around on the HR Diagram. Note the resulting changes in the temperature and luminosity sliders. Now manipulate the temperature and luminosity sliders and note the corresponding change in the active location. Question 4: Place an "X" in the appropriate box for each region of the HR diagram corresponding to the description below. • Drag the active location around on the HR Diagram once again. This time focus on the Size Comparison panel. Question 5: Place an "X" in the appropriate box for each region of the HR diagram corresponding to the description below. Description Upper Left Upper Right Lower Right Lower Left Large Blue stars are found at the: Small Red stars are found at the: Small Blue stars would be found at the: Really Large Red stars are found at the: Description Top Right Bottom Left Hot stars are found at the: Faint stars are found at the: Luminous stars are found at the: Cool stars are found at the:

NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 5/8 • Check show isoradius lines. Note that at each point on a green line, stars have the same value of radius. Use these isoradius lines to check your answers in the table above. Question 6: The equation below describes the luminosity of a star in terms of its radius and temperature. Use this equation to explain the results you found in the table of the previous question. L = 4 π R 2 σ T 4 • In addition to the isoradius lines, check show luminosity classes . This green region (dwarfs V) is known as the main sequence and contains all stars that are fusing hydrogen into helium as their primary energy source. Over 90% of all stars fall in this region on the HR diagram. Move the active cursor up and down the main sequence and explore the different values of stellar radius. Question 7: Describe the sizes of stars along the main sequence. What are stars like near the top of the main sequence, the middle, and the bottom? • The background pages of this module talked about the mass-luminosity relationship for stars on the main sequence: L ∝ M 3.5

NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 6/8 Question 8: What can you conclude about the masses of stars along the main sequence? • Uncheck show luminosity classes and check show instability strip . Note that this region of the HR Diagram indicates where pulsating stars are found such as RR Lyrae stars and Cepheid variable stars. These stars vary in brightness because they are pulsating – alternately growing bigger and smaller – which changes their radii and surface temperatures and resulting their luminosities. Question 10: Describe the characteristics of stars that are found in the instability strip. You should cover their range of temperatures, colors, luminosities, and sizes. (Hint: Comparing them to the sun is useful.) Are variable stars necessarily on the main sequence? • Check the plotted stars option the nearest stars . You should cover their range of temperatures, colors, luminosities, and sizes. Question 11: Describe the characteristics of the nearest stars.

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NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 7/8 Question 12: Do you think these stars are rare or very common among all of the stars of our galaxy? Explain your reasoning. Are any assumptions involved in your reasoning? • Uncheck the plotted stars option the nearest stars and check the brightest stars . Why are these stars the brightest in the sky? Three students debate this issue: Student A: “I think it’s because these stars must be very close to us. That would make them appear brighter to us in the sky.” Student B: “I think it’s because these stars are very luminous. They are putting out a tremendous amount of energy.” Student C: “I think it’s because these stars are very close and very luminous.” Question 13: Use the tools of the HR Diagram to support the views of one of the three students. Why are the stars we perceive as bright in the night sky really bright?” (hint: You may find the options labeled both the nearest and brightest stars and the overlap useful.)

NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 8/8 Question 14: Do you think that these bright stars are very common (make up a large percentage of all stars in general)? Explain your reasoning.