Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
The Life of a Star
16 practice questions
Practice questions
1–8 of 8 · Normal
Question 1
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 2
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.
Question 3
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the absolute magnitudes and surface temperatures of three stars:
Properties of different stars Star Absolute Magnitude Surface Temperature (K) Alpha 3.5 6,000 Beta −5.0 18,000 Gamma 12.0 3,500 (a)[1 mark]Which star is the brightest? Explain your answer.
(b)[1 mark]Which of the stars is likely to be a white dwarf? Give a reason for your choice.
(c)[2 marks]State what the star Beta's temperature suggests about its stage in its lifecycle.
Question 4
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below represents simplified stages in the life of a star with a mass much greater than our Sun.
Stages in the lifecycle of a massive star (a)[2 marks]Describe what happens to the star as it moves from red supergiant (C) to supernova (D).
(b)[2 marks]Explain the main difference between the neutron star and black hole outcomes (E, F).
Question 5
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why gravitational forces become dominant over outward pressure at the end of the main sequence stage of a star similar to our Sun.
Question 6
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which part of the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram represents the main sequence?
- A.A diagonal band from high temperature/bright to low temperature/dim.
- B.A cluster at the top right corner.
- C.A horizontal line at the bottom.
- D.A vertical line at the left edge.
Question 7
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State two differences between a red giant and a white dwarf star in terms of their physical properties.
Question 8
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A star cools from 10,000 K to 4,000 K as it becomes a red giant. By what factor has the surface temperature changed? Give your answer to 2 significant figures.