Chapter 10: Problem 9

Sketch a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Indicate the regions on your diagram occupied by (a) main-sequence stars, (b) red giants, (c) supergiants, (d) white dwarfs, and (e) the Sun.

Short Answer

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Answer: The Sun can be found in the middle of the main sequence region on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This region represents stars with a balance between temperature and luminosity throughout their lifetime. The Sun's location on the main sequence indicates that it is a yellow dwarf star with a moderate temperature and luminosity, and it generates energy by fusing hydrogen into helium in its core.

Step by step solution

Draw the Axes

First, draw a set of axes. The vertical axis represents the "Luminosity" or "Absolute Magnitude," while the horizontal axis represents "Temperature" or "Spectral Type." Usually, the temperature or spectral type will be in reverse order, with low temperatures on the right and high temperatures on the left.

Draw the Main Sequence

Draw a diagonal line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. This line represents the main sequence, where stars spend most of their lifetimes. They generate energy by fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores, and more massive stars lie at the upper end of the main sequence, while less massive stars are found at the lower end of the main sequence.

Mark the Red Giants Region

In the upper right corner, mark the region labeled "Red Giants." This area represents evolved stars that have expanded and become cooler, resulting in their reddish color and enormous size. They are relatively bright due to their large surface area.

Mark the Supergiants Region

Above the red giants region, mark another area labeled "Supergiants." These are much more luminous and massive stars that have also evolved off the main sequence. They can be either cool (red supergiants) or hot (blue supergiants).

Mark the White Dwarfs Region

In the bottom left corner, mark a small region labeled "White Dwarfs." These are the remnants of stars not massive enough to explode as supernovae. They are small, compact, and hot, but due to their tiny size, they have low luminosity.

Mark the Sun's Location

Finally, find the approximate location of the Sun on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. The Sun lies in the middle of the main sequence because it is a yellow dwarf star, with a spectral type of G2V and an absolute magnitude of 4.83. Mark this point with a clear, bold circle, and label it as "The Sun." Now, your Hertzsprung-Russell diagram should be complete, with all the required elements marked, including the main sequence, red giants, supergiants, white dwarfs, and the Sun.

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Sketch a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Indicate the regions on your diagram occupied by (a) main-sequence stars, (b) red giants, (c) supergiants, (d) white dwarfs, and (e) the Sun.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Draw the Axes

Draw the Main Sequence

Mark the Red Giants Region

Mark the Supergiants Region

Mark the White Dwarfs Region

Mark the Sun's Location

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