Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Stellar Evolution
37 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
1–10 of 18 · Normal
Question 1
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the classification of some stars by their surface temperature and colour:
Star classification by temperature and colour Star class Surface temperature (K) Colour O more than 33 000 blue B 33 000 – 10 000 blue-white A 10 000 – 7 500 white G 6 000 – 5 200 yellow K 5 200 – 3 700 orange M 3 700 – 2 000 red (a)[1 mark]In which class would the Sun be placed? Give the class letter and colour.
(b)[2 marks]A star shines with a yellow-white colour. Estimate its surface temperature range using the table.
(c)[2 marks]Explain why a star that appears red is much cooler than a star that appears white.
Question 2
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student is looking at the night sky and notices some stars appear brighter than others. Explain why two stars of the same size and type can appear to have very different brightness as observed from the Earth.
Question 3
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The Milky Way is the galaxy that contains our Solar System.
(a)[1 mark]Describe the shape of the Milky Way as seen from above.
(b)[1 mark]Where is the Solar System located within the Milky Way galaxy?
(c)[2 marks]Explain why we see many stars in the direction of the Milky Way band in the night sky.
Question 4
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The following table shows three observed stars and their properties:
Observed star properties Star Apparent colour Surface temperature (K) A red 2 500 B blue 34 000 C yellow 5 900 (a)[1 mark]Which star is the hottest? Explain your answer.
(b)[1 mark]What is the star class of Star C? Use the class table from the syllabus.
(c)[2 marks]Describe the expected relationship between the colour of a star and its surface temperature.
Question 5
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the classification and some properties of certain stars:
Star Class Colour Alpha K orange Beta B blue-white Gamma M red Delta G yellow (a)[2 marks]Which of the stars in the table above is likely to have the highest surface temperature? State your answer and explain your reasoning.
(b)[2 marks]Which star class in the table is most similar to the Sun? Give the name and class.
Question 6
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Describe the overall structure of the Milky Way galaxy. Name the type of galaxy and state where the Sun is located within it.
Question 7
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A group of students observe three stars through a telescope. The results are recorded in the table below.
Observed star properties Star Colour Estimated surface temperature Star A red 2500 K Star B yellow 5800 K Star C blue 33000 K (a)[2 marks]State the relationship between the colour of a star and its surface temperature.
(b)[2 marks]Which of these stars is likely to belong to the class O? Explain your answer.
Question 8
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 9
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 10
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.