Sketchbook: stellar evolution

See if you can identify everything in this doodle.

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158
Exam code: quiz06sOr6


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 13.5]
16.5-24.0 :	******
24.5-32.0 :	************ [mean = 27.5 +/- 6.9]
32.5-40.0 :	************ [high = 36.5]

Section 70160
Exam code: quiz06NyQ7


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	****** [low = 11]
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 21.7 +/- 6.8]
24.5-32.0 :	*******
32.5-40.0 :	** [high = 33]

Astronomy quiz archive: sun/spectra/star properties

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, fall semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz05Sh0w


Section 70158

0- 8.0   :
8.5-16.0 :	*** [low = 10.0]
16.5-24.0 :	*
24.5-32.0 :	********* [mean = 32.0 +/- 8.2]
32.5-40.0 :	******************* [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz05NpRm


Section 70160

0- 8.0   :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 16.0]
16.5-24.0 :	**********
24.5-32.0 :	***** [mean = 26.0 +/- 7.5]
32.5-40.0 :	****** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz06nD4d


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 9.0]
16.5-24.0 :	************
24.5-32.0 :	******* [mean = 24.7 +/- 7.9]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz06s33N


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 7.5]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	************** [mean = 23.5 +/- 6.5]
24.5-32.0 :	*****************
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.5]

Astronomy quiz archive: sun/spectra/star properties

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, spring semester 2019
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz05NiR0


Section 30674

0- 8.0   :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 11.0]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	****** [mean = 26.2 +/- 8.7]
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz05S4re


Section 30676

0- 8.0   :	** [low = 2.5]
8.5-16.0 :	**
16.5-24.0 :	********
24.5-32.0 :	*********** [mean = 27.6 +/- 9.2]
32.5-40.0 :	*************** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz06SeR3


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*******
16.5-24.0 :	************ [mean = 22.1 +/- 7.8]
24.5-32.0 :	**********
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz06SNn5


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	*****
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 20.7 +/- 6.9]
24.5-32.0 :	*****
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 33.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: sun/spectra/star properties

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz05T3rA


Section 70158

0- 8.0   :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	**
16.5-24.0 :	*********
24.5-32.0 :	********** [mean = 26.3 +/- 7.6]
32.5-40.0 :	*********** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz05Oor7


Section 70160

0- 8.0   :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	****
16.5-24.0 :	******** [mean = 20.1 +/- 6.7]
24.5-32.0 :	***
32.5-40.0 :	* [high = 36.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, spring semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz06nG4s


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 11.0]
16.5-24.0 :	***
24.5-32.0 :	******** [mean = 27.3 +/- 8.9]
32.5-40.0 :	******** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz06s0ho


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	**** [low = 7.5]
8.5-16.0 :	******
16.5-24.0 :	*********** [mean = 23.8 +/- 9.4]
24.5-32.0 :	***********
32.5-40.0 :	********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy quiz archive: sun/spectra/star properties

Astronomy 210 Quiz 5, spring semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz05NoPw


Section 30674

0- 8.0   :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 14.5]
16.5-24.0 :	*****
24.5-32.0 :	****** [mean = 27.6 +/- 7.1]
32.5-40.0 :	******* [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz05So1L


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :	**** [low = 4.0]
8.5-16.0 :	******
16.5-24.0 :	******
24.5-32.0 :	*************** [mean = 24.7 +/- 10.3]
32.5-40.0 :	*********** [high = 40.0]

Astronomy midterm question: more luminous star redder than same-size less luminous star?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 2, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked and answered:

RC: Star X is more luminous than star Y, but they are the same size. Is star X redder or bluer than star Y?
BrT: Since they have the same size, because star X is more luminous it will be redder.

Discuss why this answer is incorrect, and how you know this. Explain using Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or an H-R diagram.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110203173510AAHqejO.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Uses the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or interprets H-R diagram to demonstrate that in order for two stars to have the same size, the more luminous star X must be hotter than the less luminous star Y, and from Wien's law "redder" corresponds to cooler temperatures, and thus star X cannot be redder than star Y.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law, and/or H-R diagram.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law, and/or H-R diagram.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm02Sm5n
p: 29 students
r: 5 students
t: 9 students
v: 3 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm02nJv3
p: 24 students
r: 2 students
t: 5 students
v: 0 students
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 8622), using a graphical "box method" to indicate relative quantities in the Stefan-Boltzmann law:
A sample "p" response (from student 1881), using an H-R diagram:
A sample "p" response (from student 1072), using both an H-R diagram and the "box method":

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, fall semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz06sSu3


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :	*** [low = 7.5]
8.5-16.0 :	****************
16.5-24.0 :	************ [mean = 19.3 +/- 8.0]
24.5-32.0 :	******
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 36.5]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz06nMuE


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :	* [low = 8.0]
8.5-16.0 :	********
16.5-24.0 :	****** [mean = 23.7 +/- 9.0]
24.5-32.0 :	*********
32.5-40.0 :	********* [high = 36.5]

Astronomy midterm question: example of a cooler star larger than a hotter star?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 2, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked and answered:

Pdg: What is an example of a cooler star being larger than a hotter star?
nin: The sun and a red star like Betelgeuse.

Discuss why this answer is correct, and how you know this. Explain using Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or an H-R diagram.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20170301055021AAZuNwb.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Uses Wien's law to determine that the sun would be the hotter (yellow) star, while Betelgeuse would be the (red) cooler star. Then uses the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or interprets H-R diagram to demonstrate how Betelgeuse would need to be either a red giant or a red supergiant (which it actually is) in order to be cooler and larger than the sun, a medium-mass main-sequence star.
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors. Compares two stars (hotter, smaller vs. cooler, larger), where the hotter star is more luminous than the cooler star, but does not explicitly compare the sun versus a red (giant/supergiant) star.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. At least discussion demonstrates understanding of Wien's law, but the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or H-R diagram discussion is garbled, with a hotter, smaller sun having the same luminosity as a cooler, larger red (giant/supergiant) star; or may have erroneously claimed that the two stars have the same temperature, but Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or H-R diagram discussion is consistent with this mistake in Wien's law.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law, and/or H-R diagram.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law, and/or H-R diagram.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Section 30674
Exam code: midterm02nDcc
p: 9 students
r: 9 students
t: 2 students
v: 1 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 9433):

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, spring semester 2017
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 30674, version 1
Exam code: quiz06n4cI


Section 30674

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	**** [low = 13.5]
16.5-24.0 :	****
24.5-32.0 :	******** [mean = 25.8 +/- 7.6]
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]

Section 30676, version 1
Exam code: quiz06sJ4c


Section 30676

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	** [low = 15.0]
16.5-24.0 :	************
24.5-32.0 :	**************** [mean = 26.1 +/- 5.9]
32.5-40.0 :	********* [high = 36.5]

Astronomy midterm question: giant hotter or cooler to be bigger than a supergiant?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 2, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

An astronomy question on an online discussion board[*] was asked and answered:

Pdg: Does a giant need to be cooler or hotter in order to be bigger in size than a supergiant?
non: Hotter.

Discuss why this answer is incorrect, and how you know this. Explain using Wien's law, the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or an H-R diagram.

[*] answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20161004185806AAV5fBU.

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Uses the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or interprets H-R diagram to demonstrate how a giant cannot be hotter in order to be bigger than a supergiant, by arguing that since a giant must be dimmer than a supergiant, in order for the giant to be bigger than a supergiant, the giant must have a cooler temperature. (Using Wien's law is not necessary to answer this question.)
• r:
  Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
• t:
  Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. At least discussion demonstrates understanding of the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or H-R diagram.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. At least attempts to use the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or H-R diagram.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Discussion not clearly based on the Stefan-Boltzmann law and/or H-R diagram.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Section 70158
Exam code: midterm02sU6A
p: 15 students
r: 8 students
t: 9 students
v: 3 students
x: 1 student
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

Section 70160
Exam code: midterm02NbnW
p: 10 students
r: 3 students
t: 6 students
v: 3 students
x: 2 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 0301):

Astronomy quiz archive: stellar evolution

Astronomy 210 Quiz 6, fall semester 2016
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Section 70158, version 1
Exam code: quiz06s1rI


Section 70158

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :
16.5-24.0 :	*************** [low = 17.5]
24.5-32.0 :	************** [mean = 26.2 +/- 5.5]
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]

Section 70160, version 1
Exam code: quiz06nHiR


Section 70160

0- 8.0 :
8.5-16.0 :	* [low = 16.0]
16.5-24.0 :	***********
24.5-32.0 :	******** [mean = 25.5 +/- 5.5]
32.5-40.0 :	**** [high = 40.0]