Earth and Space

Stars and Light

Junior Science
 Learning Outcome
ES04
• Develop and use a model of the Earth-Sun-Moon
system to describe predictable phenomena
observable on Earth, including
- seasons
- lunar phases
- eclipses of the Sun and the Moon
 Lesson Objectives
• Understand how stars produce light and heat
through nuclear fusion.
• Explain what a photon is and how they are
produced during nuclear fusion.
• Identify the different parts of the EM Spectrum.
• Know that visible light is a small part of the EM
spectrum and comprises of different wavelengths
of light.
 What is a Star?

A star is a luminous ball of gas,

mostly hydrogen and helium, held
together by its own gravity.

Nuclear fusion reactions in its

core support the star against
gravity.

They produce photons (light) and

heat, as well as small amounts of
heavier elements
 Types of Stars
Hertzsprung- Russell Diagram

Our Sun
G Class
O Main Sequence
Our Star (The Sun)
5 billion years old
99% of the mass of solar
system
Diameter of 110 earths
80% Hydrogen
20% Helium
Energy produced by
Nuclear Fusion
 The Scale of the Solar System
Body Diameter Distance to scale Distance to Suggested
from one object to scale of object object
next / m to sun / m

Sun 240 10 - Basketball

Mercury 0.8 9 10 Pinhead
Venus 2 7 19 Peppercorn
Earth 2.1 13 26 Peppercorn
Mars 1.1 95 39 Pinhead
Jupiter 24 112 134 Grape
Saturn 20 249 246 Marble
Uranus 8 281 493 Dried pea
Neptune 7.8 244 774 Dried pea
Sun’s Core (Nuclear Fusion)
Our Star (Nucleur Fusion - production of
Light and Heat)

Every second equals…..

energy equivalent to a trillion 1 megaton bombs or
500,000 years supply of the current energy needs
Photons – How Atoms Emit light
• Light is the result of electrons moving
between defined energy levels in an atom.
• When something excites an atom, such as a
collision with another atom or a chemical
electron, an electron may absorb the energy,
boosting it up to a higher-level shell. The boost
is short-lived and the electron falls back down
to the lower level, emitting its extra energy in
the form of an electromagnetic energy packet
called a photon.
• The wavelength of the photon depends on the
Photon distance of the electron’s fall. Some
wavelengths, such as radio waves, are
invisible.
• Photons with wavelengths in the visible
spectrum form all the colours that we can
see.
 Electromagnetic Radiation

• Electromagnetic radiation is made when an atom absorbs

energy which causes one or more electrons to change their
locale within the atom.
• On returning to its original position, an electromagnetic wave
(photon) is produced.
• Depending on the kind of atom and the amount of energy,
this electromagnetic radiation can take the form of heat, light,
ultraviolet, or other electromagnetic waves.
 Electromagnetic Radiation

• A photon of light takes only eight minutes to get to the

Earth from the surface of the Sun.
• It can take 100,000 years from the core of the Sun to get to
the surface — where it bursts out and flies at the speed of
light.
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types

of EM radiation. The types of EM radiation that make up
the electromagnetic spectrum are microwaves, infrared light,
ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma-rays.
 Summary
• Light and heat are produced in Stars through the
process of Nuclear Fusion.
• Electromagnetic radiation is made when an atom
absorbs energy which causes one or more
electrons to change their locale within the atom.
• Depending on the kind of atom and the amount of
energy, this electromagnetic radiation can take the
form of heat, light, ultraviolet, or other
electromagnetic waves.