Lab6_HR_Diagram
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NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 1/9
Name: Lab 6: HR Diagram –
Worksheet
Background Information
Work through the background sections on Spectral Classification, Luminosity, and the
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Then complete the following questions related to the background
information.
Enter your answers to each question in the data tables and yellow highlighted areas below. When
completed, please save and upload this file to the assignment submission link in Canvas.
Question 1:
The table below summarizes the relationship between spectral type, temperature,
and color for stars. Fill in the missing blanks in the table. Note that the surface temperature of the
stars in the table increases.
Star
Surface Temperature K
Spectral Type
Color
Betelguese
3,500
M2
Red
Arcturus
4,300
K5
Orange
Alpha Centauri A
5,800
G2
Yellow
Procyon A
6,500
F5
Yellow-White
Sirius A
9,100
A1
White
Rigel A
11,000
B8
Light Blue
Delta Orionis
33,000
O9
Blue
Question 2:
Complete the following table related to stellar luminosities in solar units using the
equation
L
R
2
T 4
.
Radius (R
⊙
)
Temperature (T
⊙
)
Luminosity (L
⊙
)
1
1
1
1
2
16
3
1
9
1
1/2
1/16
NAAP – HR Diagram Explorer 2/9
Question 3:
The mass luminosity relation
L
M 3.5 describes the mathematical relationship
between luminosity and mass for main sequence stars. It describes how a star with a mass of
2 M
⊙
would have a luminosity of 11.31L
⊙
while a star with luminosity of 3,160 L
⊙
would have
an approximate mass of 10M
⊙.
HR Diagram Explorer
Open the HR Diagram Explorer
. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the capabilities of the
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram Explorer through experimentation.
An actual HR Diagram is provided in the upper right panel with an active location
indicated by a red x. This active location can be dragged around the diagram. The
options panel allows you to control the variables plotted on the x-axis: (temperature, B-
V, or spectral type) and those plotted on the y-axis (luminosity or absolute magnitude).
One can also show the main sequence, luminosity classes, isoradius lines, or the
instability strip. The Plotted Stars panel allows you to add various groups of stars to the
diagram.
The Cursor Properties panel has sliders for the temperature and luminosity of the active
location on the HR Diagram. These can control the values of the active location or move
in response to the active location begin dragged. The temperature and luminosity (in solar
units) are used to solve for the radius of a star at the active location.
The Size Comparison panel in the upper left illustrates the star corresponding to the
active location on the HR Diagram. Note that the size of the sun remains constant.
Exercises
Drag the active location around on the HR Diagram. Note the resulting changes in the
temperature and luminosity sliders. Now manipulate the temperature and luminosity sliders and
note the corresponding change in the active location.
Question 4:
Place an "X" in the appropriate box for each region of the HR diagram corresponding to the description below.
Description
Top
Right
Bottom
Left
Hot stars are found at the:
X
X
Faint stars are found at the:
X
X
Luminous stars are found at the:
X
X
X
Cool stars are found at the:
X
X
Drag the active location around on the HR Diagram once again. This time focus on the
Size Comparison panel.
Question 5:
Place an "X" in the appropriate box for each region of the HR diagram corresponding to the description below.
Description
Upper
Left
Upper
Right
Lower
Right
Lower
Left
Large Blue stars are found at the:
X
Small Red stars are found at the:
X
Small Blue stars would be found at the:
X
Really Large Red stars are found at the:
X
Check show isoradius lines. Note that at each point on a green line, stars have the same
value of radius. Use these isoradius lines to check your answers in the table above.
Question 6:
The equation below describes the luminosity of a star in terms of its radius and
temperature. Use this equation to explain the results you found in the table of the previous
question.
L
4
R 2
T 4
Both the radius and temperature effect the luminosity exponentially. The temperature is raised to the fourth
power while the radius is squared, therefore making temperature have a significantly larger impact on luminosity.
In addition to the isoradius lines, check show luminosity classes
. This green region
(dwarfs V) is known as the main sequence and contains all stars that are fusing hydrogen
into helium as their primary energy source. Over 90% of all stars fall in this region on
the HR diagram. Move the active cursor up and down the main sequence and explore the
different values of stellar radius.
Question 7:
Describe the sizes of stars along the main sequence. What are stars like near the top
of the main sequence, the middle, and the bottom?
Firstly, at the top of the HR Diagram, main sequence stars have high temperatures and luminosities, making the stars significantly larger than the Sun. Secondly, in the middle of the HR diagram, main sequence stars have relatively low temperatures and luminosities although not extremely low, making the stars relatively like the Sun. Finally, at the bottom of the HR Diagram, main sequence stars have extremely
low temperatures and luminosities, making the stars typically much smaller than the Sun.
The background pages of this module talked about the mass-luminosity relationship for stars on the main sequence:
L
M 3.5
Question 8:
What can you conclude about the masses of stars along the main sequence?
Mass and luminosity are directly related, meaning that when the mass increases so does the luminosity and
when the mass decreases the luminosity also decreases.
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