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Reading the axes

Reading the axes

HR diagram showing the main sequence, red giant region, white dwarf region, Sun position, and a Sun-like evolutionary track

An HR diagram plots stars by surface temperature on the x-axis and absolute magnitude on the y-axis. The temperature axis runs backwards, so hotter stars are on the left and cooler stars are on the right.

The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram (A-level only) Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram (A-level only)

Step-by-step lessons on AQA A Level Physics The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram (A-level only). Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Physics is one of the most mathematically demanding A Levels -- at least 40% of the marks require maths skills at Level 2 (GCSE) standard or above, so build calculation and graph-handling fluency alongside the conceptual content from the start.

Lessons