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

Stellar Evolution

37 practice questions

Start practising (19 questions)

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Practice questions

11–19 of 19 · Easy

  1. Question 11

    1 mark · Easy

    Which of the following objects is the most dense?

    1. A.Red giant
    2. B.Main sequence star
    3. C.White dwarf
    4. D.Red supergiant
    Answer and check →

  2. Question 12

    2 marks · Easy

    (a)

    A star much larger than the Sun ends its life in a different way from our Sun. Name the explosion that ends its life.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    What is one possible remnant left behind after this explosion?

    [1 mark]
    Answer and see the solution →

  3. Question 13

    2 marks · Easy

    Information on the surface temperature and absolute magnitude of three stars.
    StarSurface Temperature (K)Absolute Magnitude
    Alpha6,000+5
    Beta20,000-5
    Gamma3,500-1

    Based on the data above, which star is the brightest and which is the coolest?

    Answer and see the solution →

  4. Question 14

    2 marks · Easy

    Explain why a star changes colour as it evolves from a red giant into a white dwarf.

    Answer and see the solution →

  5. Question 15

    3 marks · Easy

    (a)

    Draw a simple labelled sequence showing the main stages in the life of a star similar to our Sun, from nebula to black dwarf.

    [2 marks]
    (b)

    State the stage at which fusion of helium nuclei occurs.

    [1 mark]
    Answer and see the solution →

  6. Question 16

    1 mark · Easy

    Which of these best describes the main sequence stage of a star's life?

    1. A.The star is unstable and changes rapidly.
    2. B.The star's forces are balanced and it fuses hydrogen in its core.
    3. C.Fusion reactions have stopped and the star is collapsing.
    4. D.The star is a cloud of dust and gas.
    Answer and check →

  7. Question 17

    4 marks · Easy

    (a)

    State one difference between the life cycle of a star with a mass similar to the Sun and that of a much more massive star at the end of their lives.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    The star Betelgeuse will become a supernova. Explain why only some stars end their life as supernovae, and what happens to the material left behind after the explosion.

    [3 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →

  8. Question 18

    4 marks · Easy

    A student observes two stars in the night sky: Star X is a red star, and Star Y is a blue star. Both are located in the same galaxy.

    (a)

    State which star has the higher surface temperature. Explain your answer.

    [2 marks]
    (b)

    Stars go through several stages in their life cycle. Name two stages a star like our Sun will go through after its main sequence period.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →

  9. Question 19

    4 marks · Easy

    The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram shows the relationship between a star’s brightness and its surface temperature. The position of a star on the diagram can be used to learn about its properties.

    (a)

    What information about a star can scientists gain from knowing its position on the HR diagram? Give two points.

    [2 marks]
    (b)

    State the region you would expect to find our Sun during the main stable period of its life.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →