Properties of Stars Review Flashcard

Front

What is apparent magnitude in relation to stars?

Back

Apparent magnitude is a measure of the brightness of a star as seen from Earth, which depends on both the star's intrinsic brightness and its distance from Earth.

Front

What factor is crucial in determining the apparent magnitude of a star?

Back

The distance the star is from Earth.

Front

Order the following stars from hottest to coolest: Spica, Sun, Aldebaran, Antares.

Back

Spica, Sun, Aldebaran, Antares.

Front

Which star is the smallest: Polaris, Aldebaran, Sirius B, or Barnard’s Star?

Back

Sirius B, 0.008 solar radius.

Front

What happens to stars as you move upwards on the H-R diagram?

Back

Stars get larger and brighter.

Front

What are the two terms that directly relate to the actual brightness of a star?

Back

Absolute magnitude and luminosity.

Front

Define absolute magnitude.

Back

Absolute magnitude is the measure of the intrinsic brightness of a star, defined as the brightness the star would have at a standard distance of 10 parsecs.

Front

What is luminosity in the context of stars?

Back

Luminosity is the total amount of energy emitted by a star per unit time, often expressed in watts.

Front

How does the color of a star relate to its temperature?

Back

The color of a star indicates its temperature; hotter stars appear blue or white, while cooler stars appear red or orange.

Front

What is the significance of the H-R diagram?

Back

The H-R diagram is a graphical representation of stars plotted according to their absolute magnitudes and temperatures, helping to classify stars and understand their evolution.