Stellar evolution
I can describe life cycles of stars and the variations that depend on the mass of a star.
Stellar evolution
I can describe life cycles of stars and the variations that depend on the mass of a star.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Radiation pressure from nuclear fusion pushes out from the centre of a star.
- Gravitational force pulls in towards the centre of a star.
- When a star is in balance, forces from radiation pressure are equal in size to gravitational forces.
- A main sequence star is a star in balance for millions of years, until it no can longer fuse hydrogen nuclei.
- After all available hydrogen has been fused, gravity contracts a star raising temperature until other nuclei can fuse.
Keywords
Main sequence star - a star which is fusing hydrogen in its core; these stars are stable for long periods of time
Red giant star - a larger, cooler, star formed after hydrogen in the core has been depleted
White dwarf star - the white hot core of a star after its outer layers have escaped into space
Supernova - an exploding star, caused by a gravitational collapse after the fuel is exhausted
Neutron star - an incredibly dense star, formed after a supernova
Common misconception
Stars just exist and do not change over time.
Explain the cause and effect of changes in stars and support pupils in explaining these ideas in their own words.
To help you plan your year 11 physics lesson on: Stellar evolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 physics lesson on: Stellar evolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Gravity in space unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.