Physical Properties of Stars & Sun

One physical property of a star is apparent magnitude. Which of the following is used in determining the apparent magnitude of a star? 

• the constellation the star is in

• the distance the star is from Earth

• the number of times the star rotates

• the number of prominences the star makes

The Sun's energy and composition is provided by which of the following? 

• the burning of fossil fuels within the Sun

• solar power that produces electricity in the Sun

• the Sun's magnetic field

• the fusion of hydrogen into helium

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-1

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

An astronomer uses a telescope to observe a star. She observes that the color of this star is similar to the color of the sun. Therefore, she infers that the star and the sun have similar sizes and surface temperatures. Using this information, what can the astronomer conclude about the star?

• the star is a white dwarf

• the star is medium sized

• the star is hotter than most other stars in our galaxy

• the star is brighter than most other stars in our galaxy

Linda examined the sizes of several different stars. She listed them in order from smallest to largest.

Which of the following stars would Linda list first?

• Polaris, 30 solar radii

• Aldebaran, 44.2 solar radii

• Sirius B, 0.008 solar radius

• Barnard's Star, 0.15 solar radius

Natasha examined a table that lists the characteristics of four stars. Which star would appear the dimmest from Earth’s surface?

• Star A

• Star B

• Star C

• Star D

The graph shows the relationship between absolute brightness and color in stars. Which one of these conclusions can be drawn based on the graph?

• absolute brightness is not related to the color of a star

• blue stars are farther from Earth than red stars

• blue stars generally have more absolute brightness than red stars

• a blue star will appear brighter from Earth's surface than a red star

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-3

Which of the following statements best relates a star’s color to its surface temperature?

• a blue star has a relatively low temperature

• a red star has a relatively high temperature

• a blue-white star has a relatively low temperature

• a yellow star has a relatively low temperature

Talia makes a model of the Sun for school. What solar property is her model demonstrating?

• convection of solar heat

• rotation of the Sun

• movement of solar flares

• structure of the Sun

A student made a model of the Sun. The model had six layers: the core, the radiative zone, the convective zone, the photosphere, the chromosphere, and finally the outermost layer, the corona.  How would models of Sirius and Iota Canis Majoris be similar?

• Since the Sun, Sirius and Iota Canis Majoris are stars, all three models would have the same layers.

• Since the Sun, Sirius and Iota Canis Majoris are stars, all three models would be the same color.

• Since the Sun, Sirius and Iota Canis Majoris are stars, all three models would be the same size.

• There would be no similarities because all three stars have different structures.

Lilly and Adam notice that the constellation they are studying contains stars that are blue, yellow and white.  What can they assume about the different stars they can see?

• the blue stars are closer to Earth

• the stars have different surface temperatures

• the stars have different absolute magnitudes

• the white stars are smaller than the blue and yellow stars