E.5 Fusion and stars
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Topic
- —
- Level
- HL
• Stars are stable when outward radiation pressure balances inward gravity.
• Fusion is a source of energy in stars.
• Fusion in stars requires high density and temperature.
• Stellar mass determines star evolution pathway.
• Use HR diagram regions to describe star properties.
• Include main sequence, red giants/supergiants, white dwarfs and lines of constant radius.
• Stellar parallax distance: d(pc)=1/p(arcsec).
• Determine stellar radius from luminosity and surface temperature.