AST 307 · Introductory Astronomy
|
Fall 2003
|
Topics
Chapter 20 Oct. 29, 31
- What does it mean to say that a main sequence star is in both
hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium?
- How would a star change if it radiated more energy from its
surface than it generates by nuclear fusion?
- How does the core of a star change when all of the hydrogen
at its center has been converted into helium?
How does the shell around the core, where fusion of hydrogen
continues, change as a result?
How does the envelope, where it is too cool for fusion to
occur, change?
And how does the appearance of the star change?
- What is the next nuclear reaction to start up in the helium
core of a red giant, and why do the temperature and density
have to be so high before this happens?
- Describe the process by which a red giant becomes a planetary
nebula and leaves behind a white dwarf.
- Describe how the pressure inside of a white dwarf differs from
normal gas pressure.
- How can we use H-R diagrams to test the theory of stellar
evolution?
|