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Physics Electric and Magnetic Fields
Physics Electric and Magnetic Fields
HS PS3-5
HS PS3-5
Biology
LS2-1 Factors Affecting Ecosystems
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Earth and Space Science
ESS1 3 Stars Producing Elements
Project Zero THINKING ROUTINE--see Phenomenon
Phenomenon--
Star Death and the Creation of Elements BBC
What do you know before you see this source? How does it add to your knowledge?
What do you still need to know?
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Inquiry science
Printable activity 1 NASA and more
Printable activity 2 Washington International School
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On-line activity
Smashing atoms interactive-nuclear fusion activity PLIX cK-12
Online Journey through an exploding star SI Learning Lab
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LAB activities follow all safety guidelines linked above
and in the activity
Lab #1 x-ray spec of elements in stars activity NASA
Lab #2 Periodic Table activity NASA SOHO Activity #1 and Activity #4
Lab #3 Diffraction grating activity--identifying elements NASA SOHO Activity3 Link for diffraction grating assistance
Lab #4 Spectra and identifying elements in interstellar clouds Washington InternationaI School
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EXTENSION material for the curious
Composition of solar wind NASA SOHO mission
The Technetium Controversy Conversation
Astronomers explore the rich chemistry surrounding an evolved star Smithsonian Insider
What is your cosmic connection to the elements? NASA
Aerospace CONNECTIONS:
Applications and examples
Elements forming in Stars--Smithsonian
Associates--The Periodic Table
Data and element identification from NASA SOHO Mission Activity 5
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ESS1-3
Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the way nucleosynthesis, and therefore the different elements created, varies as a function of the mass of a star and the stage of its lifetime.
Assessment Boundary: Details of the many different nucleosynthesis pathways for stars of differing masses are not assessed.
A star's layers showing element formation NASA PD
Origin of the elements NASA PD
Elements up to the atomic mass of iron are formed in stars NASA PD
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Stars form from a collapsing hydrogen cloud. A thermonuclear fusion reaction that converts the core's hydrogen into helium.
If the core's temperature gets hot enough, it undergoes a second wave of thermonuclear fusion itself, turning its helium into carbon and oxygen.
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The outermost layers are converting hydrogen to helium, a shell beneath it turning helium into carbon and oxygen, a shell beneath that producing heavier elements, a shell beneath that creating even heavier elements, and so on down to a core in which iron is produced.
These gaseous supernova remnants glow in colors determined by the elements they contain. For example, the dark blue areas are rich in oxygen and the red material is rich in sulfur.
NASA PD
Elements heavier than iron (atomic number > 26) are formed in super nova NASA PD