
The Chemistry of Stars
Topics Covered
- Nuclear Fusion
- Elements
- Stellar Chemistry
Lesson Description
Students will investigate how nuclear fusion in stars leads to the formation of elements.
Central Question: How do star life cycles form the elements?
Instructional Objective: HS-ESS1-1: Earth's Place in the Universe- Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation. DCI PS1.C: Nuclear Processes- Nuclear processes, including fusion, fission, and radioactive decays of unstable nuclei, involve release and absorption of energy. The total number of neutrons plus protons does not change in any nuclear process. DCI PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life-Nuclear Fusion processes in the center of the sun release the energy that ultimately reaches Earth as radiation.
Learning Outcomes
-
Learning Outcome #1: What is the process of nuclear fusion?
-
Learning Outcome #2: How does fusion form new elements with greater or lesser nuclear stability?
-
Learning Outcome #3: How do stars produce different and heavier elements?
Prerequisites
-
Stellar Vocabulary
-
Nebula
-
Protostar
-
Nuclear Fusion
-
Neutron Star
-
Black Hole
-
Main Sequence
-
Red Giant
-
Stellar Life Cycle
-
Solar Mass
Previous Versions
Topics Covered
- Nuclear Fusion
- Elements
- Stellar Chemistry
Lesson Description
Students will investigate how nuclear fusion in stars leads to the formation of elements.
Central Question: How do star life cycles form the elements?
Instructional Objective: HS-ESS1-1: Earth's Place in the Universe- Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation. DCI PS1.C: Nuclear Processes- Nuclear processes, including fusion, fission, and radioactive decays of unstable nuclei, involve release and absorption of energy. The total number of neutrons plus protons does not change in any nuclear process. DCI PS3.D: Energy in Chemical Processes and Everyday Life-Nuclear Fusion processes in the center of the sun release the energy that ultimately reaches Earth as radiation.
Learning Outcomes
-
Learning Outcome #1: What is the process of nuclear fusion?
-
Learning Outcome #2: How does fusion form new elements with greater or lesser nuclear stability?
-
Learning Outcome #3: How do stars produce different and heavier elements?
Prerequisites
-
Stellar Vocabulary
-
Nebula
-
Protostar
-
Nuclear Fusion
-
Neutron Star
-
Black Hole
-
Main Sequence
-
Red Giant
-
Stellar Life Cycle
-
Solar Mass