Page 141 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Science, 2008 (revised)

B2.2 locate observable features of the night sky using star charts, computer models, or direct observation, and record the location of these features using astronomical terms (e.g., celestial equator, ecliptic) and systems (e.g., altitude and azimuth, right ascension and declination) [PR, C]
B2.3 analyse spectroscopic data mathematically or graphically to determine various properties of stars (e.g., determine surface temperature from peak wavelength using Wein’s law; predict chemical composition from spectral absorption lines; determine motion using the Doppler effect) [AI, C]
B2.4 use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to determine the interrelationships between the properties of stars (e.g., between mass and luminosity, between colour and luminosity) and to investigate their evolutionary pathways [PR, AI]
B2.5 investigate, in quantitative terms, properties of stars, including their distance from Earth (using the parallax method), surface temper- ature, absolute magnitude, and luminosity [PR, AI]
B2.6 investigate, using photographs or diagrams, the basic features of different types of galaxies (e.g., elliptical, spiral, barred spiral, irregular, peculiar), including the Milky Way [PR]
B. Understanding Basic Concepts
By the end of this course, students will:
B3.1 describe the theoretical and evidential underpinnings of the big bang theory (e.g., the theory that cosmic microwave background radiation is an echo of the big bang; physical
evidence of the mass of the universe, and the relationship between mass and gravity) and their implications for the evolution of the universe
B3.2 explain the scale of distances between celestial bodies (e.g., with reference to astronomical units, light years, and parsecs) and the methods astronomers use to determine these distances (e.g., stellar parallax, cepheid variables)
B3.3 describe the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., the relationship between wave- length, frequency, and energy) and the ways in which each region of the electromagnetic spectrum is used in making astronomical observations (e.g., X-rays in the search for black holes; infrared radiation to see through interstellar dust)
B3.4 explain how stars are classified on the basis of their surface temperature, luminosity, and chemical composition
B3.5 explain, with reference to a specific star (e.g., Rigel, Sirius, Arcturus), how astronomers use techniques to determine the properties of stars (e.g., mass, diameter, magnitude, temperature, luminosity)
B3.6 describe the sequence of events in the life cycle of a star, from its formation to the main sequence phase and beyond, with specific reference to energy sources and forces involved
B3.7 explain the relationship between the type of death of a star and the star’s initial mass (e.g., a star with a low mass will form a planetary nebula and a white dwarf)
ASTRONOMy (SCIENCE OF THE UNIVERSE)
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Earth and Space Science
SES4U