Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
The Life of a Star
16 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 16
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →What are the two main forces that balance each other during the main sequence period of a star's life?
Question 2
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Name the stage of a star's life just before it becomes a main sequence star.
(b)[1 mark]State what process starts at the beginning of the main sequence stage.
(c)[1 mark]How long does the main sequence stage typically last for a star like the Sun?
Question 3
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following objects is the most dense?
- A.Red giant
- B.Main sequence star
- C.White dwarf
- D.Red supergiant
Question 4
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]A star much larger than the Sun ends its life in a different way from our Sun. Name the explosion that ends its life.
(b)[1 mark]What is one possible remnant left behind after this explosion?
Question 5
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Information on the surface temperature and absolute magnitude of three stars. Star Surface Temperature (K) Absolute Magnitude Alpha 6,000 +5 Beta 20,000 -5 Gamma 3,500 -1 Based on the data above, which star is the brightest and which is the coolest?
Question 6
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain why a star changes colour as it evolves from a red giant into a white dwarf.
Question 7
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[2 marks]Draw a simple labelled sequence showing the main stages in the life of a star similar to our Sun, from nebula to black dwarf.
(b)[1 mark]State the stage at which fusion of helium nuclei occurs.
Question 8
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of these best describes the main sequence stage of a star's life?
- A.The star is unstable and changes rapidly.
- B.The star's forces are balanced and it fuses hydrogen in its core.
- C.Fusion reactions have stopped and the star is collapsing.
- D.The star is a cloud of dust and gas.
Question 9
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the name of the process that causes hydrogen nuclei to join together at the start of a star's life. What form of energy is released during this process?
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A star forms from a cloud of gas with an initial temperature of K. Due to gravitational compression, its temperature increases by a factor of . Calculate the final temperature of the star once it reaches its main sequence stage.