  The evolution of star clusters is studied using N-body simulations in which
the evolution of single stars and binaries are taken self-consistently into
account. Initial conditions are chosen to represent relatively young Galactic
open clusters, such as the Pleiades, Praesepe and the Hyades. The calculations
include a realistic mass function, primordial binaries and the external
potential of the parent Galaxy. Our model clusters are generally significantly
flattened in the Galactic tidal field, and dissolve before deep core collapse
occurs. The binary fraction decreases initially due to the destruction of soft
binaries, but increases later because lower mass single stars escape more
easily than the more massive binaries. At late times, the cluster core is quite
rich in giants and white dwarfs. There is no evidence for preferential
evaporation of old white dwarfs, on the contrary the formed white dwarfs are
likely to remain in the cluster. Stars tend to escape from the cluster through
the first and second Lagrange points, in the direction of and away from the
Galactic center. Mass segregation manifests itself in our models well within an
initial relaxation time. As expected, giants and white dwarfs are much more
strongly affected by mass segregation than main-sequence stars. Open clusters
are dynamically rather inactive. However, the combined effect of stellar mass
loss and evaporation of stars from the cluster potential drives its dissolution
on a much shorter timescale than if these effects are neglected. The often-used
argument that a star cluster is barely older than its relaxation time and
therefore cannot be dynamically evolved is clearly in error for the majority of
star clusters.
