Homework Assignment #9
This assignment is due at the beginning of class on Friday, November 21. Late homework absolutely will not be accepted, including homework turned in at the end of class. If you can't make it to the beginning of class, make sure to turn your homework in to me beforehand.
You must do the first three problems. Each of those problems will be worth 10 points. If you make a sincere, honest effort to answer each question, you will receive at least 5 points of credit.
Staple your homework! If you require more than one page to complete the homework, fasten the multiple pages together with a staple; folding the corner won't cut it. If your homework has multiple pages but you fail to staple, you will be docked 3 points.
The last two problems are given to you as additional review problems. You do not need to turn them in, and they will not be graded when you do. However, solutions to them will be posted along with the solutions to the first three problems. You may want to do them if you think you need extra review in the class.
Please write out the problem statement at the top of your solution. (This is for two reasons; it is so I can know which problem you answered, and that you answered the right problem from the book. It also will make your graded homework more useful as a study aid later.)
Chapter 16, Question 13 in the text (page 431).
Type Ia and Type II Supernovae are each explosions that signify the death of a star and which are briefly as luminous as an entire galaxy. However, they are very different sorts of objects. What is the original source of the energy which powers each type of explosion? (I.e., where did all the energy released in the explosion come from given the state of the star before the explosion?) Hint: be sure to answer the question asked! A very long long answer to a completely different question isn't needed.
When you look at a globular cluster through a small telescope with your eye, the individual stars you can see are largely red giants.
Why is this so?
Why aren't you seeing any high-luminosity massive main sequence stars?
Is what you are seeing representative of the population of stars in the globular cluster? Why or why not?
(The problems below will not be graded, and need not be turned in.)
Chapter 15, Question 9.
Chapter 15, Question 13.
Chapter 16, Question 12.