Stars: Balls of Hot Gas (Part 4)

What You'll Learn

Stars are massive balls of hot gas that produce light and heat through nuclear fusion. Our sun is a medium-sized star that provides the energy needed for life on Earth.

Key Words

gravity
solar system
inner planets

Materials Needed

flashlight
ball (Earth)
small ball (moon)
dark room

Safety First

Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
Use materials only as directed in the experiment.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Study the diagram and label the parts you recognize.

Step 2 — Do

Model Earth's tilt and seasons: hold a globe tilted at 23.5° and walk it around a lamp (the sun). Observe which hemisphere gets more direct light at each position.

Step 3 — Observe

Draw a detailed diagram of what you observe.

Step 4 — Record

Write a conclusion: what did your results show? Did they match your prediction?

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a constellation?