LIFE OF A STAR Introduction
Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. What is a star? Why is the sun important? What is my personal connection and relation to the sun and stars?
Topic:
Stars begin as a nebula cloud in space. Gravity pulls the cloud to its center. As the cloud shrinks, heat and pressure build up in its thickening center. When it gets too tight, the atoms get pushed too close and they start to explode with nuclear fusion. A star is born…
Basic Questions:
1. What is a star?
2. How does a star begin?
3. Describe and explain the layers of a stable star like the sun.
4. Why and how does a star end?
5. What happens to a star after it collapses and explodes?
Suggested Links To Get Started:
1. Start with Drawing States of Matter here.
2. Sing along with Matter music videos here.
Check out the matter videos by teacher and rappers from our school community.
LIFE of a STAR Model Steps:
1. BEGINS as nebula cloud in space
-gravity pulls cloud towards its center
-heat and pressure builds in the center
-when too much pressure builds, atoms in core start
to explode with nuclear fusion
2. STABLE STAR
Core:
-nuclear explosions
-Hydrogen fuse to Helium
Radiation Zone:
-hot gases rise
Convection Zone:
-heated gas rises to surface
-gives off light
-cools and sinks back down
Surface :
-hot gas gives off light and cools
Corona:
-white light leaves sun
-white light = mix of all the colors
3. End or Death of Star
-when hydrogen fuel in center is used up, star collapsed and explodes
-sun about 4.5 billion years old and is about half through its lifespan
