HR Diagram Practice

Front

What is the HR Diagram?

Back

The HR Diagram (Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram) is a scatter plot that shows the relationship between the stars' absolute magnitudes or luminosities versus their stellar classifications or effective temperatures.

Front

What defines a main sequence star?

Back

A main sequence star is a star that is in the stable phase of its life cycle, where it fuses hydrogen into helium in its core. Most stars, including the Sun, are main sequence stars.

Front

Which star is an example of a main sequence star?

Back

Vega is an example of a main sequence star.

Front

What are white dwarfs?

Back

White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel and collapsed to a very small size, typically about the size of Earth, but with a mass similar to that of the Sun.

Front

What characteristics are used to classify stars?

Back

Stars are classified based on their temperature/color and brightness.

Front

What is a yellow main sequence star?

Back

A yellow main sequence star is a star that has a surface temperature between approximately 5,300 to 6,000 K, and an example is Procyon.

Front

What is a red supergiant star?

Back

A red supergiant star is a very large star that has expanded and cooled, resulting in a reddish appearance. An example is Betelgeuse.

Front

What is the significance of a star's color?

Back

A star's color indicates its temperature; hotter stars appear blue or white, while cooler stars appear red or orange.

Front

What is luminosity in relation to stars?

Back

Luminosity is the total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit of time, often measured in watts.

Front

What is the relationship between a star's temperature and its brightness?

Back

Generally, hotter stars are more luminous than cooler stars, meaning they emit more light and energy.