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Laabri

2.06 Star Lifecycles Lab

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Last updated about 1 month ago
15 Nsɛmmisa
Hyɛ no nsow a efi ɔkyerɛwfo no hɔ:

If you need help with this lab, please watch the class recording (updated 10/15/25)

If you need help with this lab, please watch the class recording (updated 10/15/25)

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HS-ESS1-1
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HS-ESS1-1

You will be using this interactive: https://starinabox.lco.global

Open the lid of your ‘Star in a Box’.

The graph is a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, where a star’s luminosity is plotted against its temperature.

The information panels on the right allow you to compare the Sun with your star. It compares the relative radius, surface temperature, brightness (luminosity) and mass of the star to the Sun.

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
1.

Click the play button below the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to show the Sun’s evolution.

You may want to adjust the speed in the lower right corner.

Name the three stages of the Sun’s life shown on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

Stage 1:

Stage 3:

Stage 2 to Stage 3:

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
3.

Change the information panel to "brightness."

Describe the changes the Sun's luminosity (brightness) will go through between stages.

Stage 1 to Stage 2:

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
4.

Change the information panel to "Stages in your stars life."

What stage will the Sun spend most of its life?

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
5.

Change the information panel to "Mass."

Describe the changes the Sun's mass will go through between stages.

Stage 1 to Stage 2:

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
6.

Use the dropdown in the lower left to change the star's mass to other low numbers like 0.2, 0.65, and 2. Observe the starting location of low mass stars on the Main Sequence.

Where are low mass stars like the Sun found on the Main Sequence?

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
7.

Switch to a high mass star by changing the star's mass to 30.

Click the play button below the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to show the high mass star’s evolution.

You may want to adjust the speed in the lower right corner.

Name the three stages of the high mass star’s life shown on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.

Stage 1:

Stage 3:

Stage 2 to Stage 3:

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
9.

Change the information panel to "temperature."

Describe the changes the high mass star's temperature will go through between stages.

Stage 1 to Stage 2:

At which stage in its lifecycle will the high mass star be at its hottest?

Stage 2 to Stage 3:

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
11.

Change the information panel to "Stages in your stars life."

What stage will the high mass star spend most of its life?

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
12.

Change the information panel to "Mass."

Describe the changes the high mass star's mass will go through between stages.

Stage 1 to Stage 2:

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
13.

Use the dropdown in the lower left to change the star's mass to other high numbers like 10, 20, and 40. Observe the starting location of high mass stars on the Main Sequence.

Where are high mass stars found on the Main Sequence?

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
14.

Consider this model of star life cycles:

Which side (A or B) depicts the life cycle of a high mass star?

Which side (A or B) depicts the life cycle of a low mass star?

Asemmisa {{asɛmmisaAhyɛnsode}}
15.

Compare and contrast low mass and high mass stars.

Low Mass Star

High Mass Star

Both Low & High Mass Stars

Begins as a hot blue star

Has a shorter life span

Ends as a white dwarf

Ends as a supernova

Begins on the main sequence

Begins as a "Sun" like star

Spends time as a red giant/supergiant before its death

Brighter throughout its life time

Larger overall throughout its life