Astrophysics
Update - 4/17/2026
These notes have changed to match the 2025 IB Physics curriculum. If you are looking for the files that were posted here, you can find them in the notes archive
Content Guide - Astrophysics (pdf)
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Content Guide - Astrophysics (editable)
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Content Guide - Astrophysics - KEY (pdf)
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Content Guide - Astrophysics - KEY (editable)
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1 – Radiation from Stars

  • I can define and compare the properties of luminosity and brightness
  • I can calculate luminosity using Stefan-Boltzmann’s Law
  • I can calculate the surface area of a sphere
  • I can describe and calculate how the brightness changes based on the distance from a source
  • I can determine the temperature of a hot object based on the peak wavelength emitted
  • I can use brightness, peak wavelength, and distance to calculate temperature, luminosity, and radius for a star
1 - Radiation from the Stars - COMPLETE (pdf)
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1 - Radiation from the Stars - COMPLETE (editable)
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1 - Radiation from the Stars - STUDENT (pdf)
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1 - Radiation from the Stars - STUDENT (editable)
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2 – Radiation from the Sun

  • I can define intensity with proper units
  • I can describe how intensity changes according to the surface area of a sphere
  • I can derive the Solar Constant from the sun’s power and distance from earth
  • I can calculate the average solar intensity on earth from the solar constant and earth’s radius
  • I can compare the properties of albedo and emissivity
2 - Radiation from the Sun - COMPLETE (pdf)
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2 - Radiation from the Sun - COMPLETE (editable)
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2 - Radiation from the Sun - STUDENT (pdf)
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2 - Radiation from the Sun - STUDENT (editable)
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3 – Climate Change

  • I can describe the greenhouse effect as absorption and re-emission of thermal energy
  • I can list the gases that have the largest impact on the greenhouse effect and their natural/human sources
  • I can describe the long term and seasonal trends in the carbon dioxide concentration
  • I can list examples of positive and negative feedback loops in terms of the climate discussion
3 - Climate Change - COMPLETE (pdf)
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3 - Climate Change - COMPLETE (editable)
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3 - Climate Change - STUDENT (pdf)
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3 - Climate Change - STUDENT (editable)
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4 – Organizing the Stars

  • I can place a star on an axis showing luminosity vs temperature
  • I can describe the organization of the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
  • I can use the main sequence to calculate the distance of a star from its wavelength and brightness
  • I can identify the chemical makeup of a star from its absorption spectrum
4 - Organizing the Stars - COMPLETE (pdf)
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4 - Organizing the Stars - COMPLETE (editable)
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4 - Organizing the Stars - STUDENT (pdf)
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4 - Organizing the Stars - STUDENT (editable)
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5 – Measuring Astronomical Distances

  • I can convert between lightyears, parsecs, and astronomical units
  • I can determine distance for nearby stars using the parallax method
  • I can determine distance for main sequence stars using temperature and brightness
  • I can convert between lightyears, parsecs, and astronomical units
  • I can determine distance for nearby stars using the parallax method
5 - Measuring Astronomical Distances - COMPLETE (pdf)
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5 - Measuring Astronomical Distances - COMPLETE (editable)
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5 - Measuring Astronomical Distances - STUDENT (pdf)
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5 - Measuring Astronomical Distances - STUDENT (editable)
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6 – Stellar Evolution

  • I can describe the process of fusion and conditions required for it to happen
  • I can calculate the energy released in a fusion reaction
  • I can discuss the forces involved in stellar equilibrium
  • I can describe the life cycle of a star
  • I can describe the differences in fusion for an average and massive star
  • I can predict the death outcome of a star based on the mass of its core at the end of life
6 - Stellar Evolution - COMPLETE (pdf)
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6 - Stellar Evolution - COMPLETE (editable)
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6 - Stellar Evolution - STUDENT (pdf)
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6 - Stellar Evolution - STUDENT (editable)
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7 - Redshift

  • I can describe how light changes when the source is moving
  • I can use a shift in wavelength or frequency to calculate the speed of the wave source
7 - Redshift - COMPLETE (pdf)
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7 - Redshift - COMPLETE (editable)
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7 - Redshift - STUDENT (pdf)
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7 - Redshift - STUDENT (editable)
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