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Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section

Classifying Stars

15 practice questions

Practice questions

11–15 of 15

  1. Question 11

    4 marks · Normal

    The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System.

    (a)

    Describe the shape of the Milky Way as seen from above.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    Where is the Solar System located within the Milky Way galaxy?

    [1 mark]
    (c)

    Explain why we see many stars in the direction of the Milky Way band in the night sky.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →
  2. Question 12

    4 marks · Normal

    The following table shows three observed stars and their properties:

    Observed star properties
    StarApparent colourSurface temperature (K)
    Ared2 500
    Bblue34 000
    Cyellow5 900
    (a)

    Which star is the hottest? Explain your answer.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    What is the star class of Star C? Use the class table from the syllabus.

    [1 mark]
    (c)

    Describe the expected relationship between the colour of a star and its surface temperature.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →
  3. Question 13

    4 marks · Normal

    The table below shows the classification and some properties of certain stars:

    StarClassColour
    AlphaKorange
    BetaBblue-white
    GammaMred
    DeltaGyellow
    (a)

    Which of the stars in the table above is likely to have the highest surface temperature? State your answer and explain your reasoning.

    [2 marks]
    (b)

    Which star class in the table is most similar to the Sun? Give the name and class.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →
  4. Question 14

    2 marks · Normal

    Describe the overall structure of the Milky Way galaxy. Name the type of galaxy and state where the Sun is located within it.

    Answer and see the solution →
  5. Question 15

    4 marks · Normal

    A group of students observe three stars through a telescope. The results are recorded in the table below.

    Observed star properties
    StarColourEstimated surface temperature
    Star Ared2500 K
    Star Byellow5800 K
    Star Cblue33000 K
    (a)

    State the relationship between the colour of a star and its surface temperature.

    [2 marks]
    (b)

    Which of these stars is likely to belong to the class O? Explain your answer.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →