Eight Tests of Hierarchical Galaxy Formation Models Using the Observed Properties of Elliptical Galaxies

The observed properties of elliptical galaxies are compared to the predictions of models of hierarchical galaxy formation. While the models can explain some of the observed properties, the success of the models in producing a color-magnitude relation (dependence of stellar M=L on luminosity) while failing to produce the wavelength dependence of the slope of the Fundamental Plane correlations (dependence of stellar M=L on mass) points to potential problems in how mass and light are related in the models|suggesting that there are small, but subtle, problems underlying the star formation feedback prescriptions used in the models.