Life Cycle of a Star
Describe the life cycle of a star from nebula through main sequence to its end state (white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole depending on mass), and relate the life cycle to the origin of elements heavier than hydrogen
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“If your child was told that the iron in their blood was forged inside a star that exploded billions of years ago, could they explain the life cycle of a star and how elements are made inside stars?”
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- Activity. Describe the life cycle of a star from nebula through main sequence to its end state (white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole depending on mass), and relate the life cycle to the origin of elements heavier than hydrogen
What to notice. Describes the main stages in the life cycle of a star similar to the Sun: nebula → protostar → main sequence → red giant → planetary nebula → white dwarf • Explains that more massive stars end as a supernova followed by a neutron star or black hole • States that nuclear fusion inside stars produces heavier elements from hydrogen and helium
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If your child was told that the iron in their blood was forged inside a star that exploded billions of years ago, could they explain the life cycle of a star and how elements are made inside stars?
Describe the life cycle of a star from nebula through main sequence to its end state (white dwarf, neutron star, or black hole depending on mass), and relate the life cycle to the origin of elements heavier than hydrogen
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- Describes the main stages in the life cycle of a star similar to the Sun: nebula → protostar → main sequence → red giant → planetary nebula → white dwarf
- Explains that more massive stars end as a supernova followed by a neutron star or black hole
- States that nuclear fusion inside stars produces heavier elements from hydrogen and helium
“If your child was told that the iron in their blood was forged inside a star that exploded billions of years ago, could they explain the life cycle of a star and how elements are made inside stars?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Space Systems & Earth's History
- Age range
- Ages 13–14
Standards