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

Read and 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.

Step 2 — Do

Create a labeled diagram of what you built or observed.

Step 3 — Observe

Draw a picture of what you observe.

Step 4 — Record

Answer the questions based on your data.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is a constellation?