Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Stellar Evolution
37 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
31–37 of 37
Question 31
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.
Question 32
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]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.
(b)[3 marks]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.
Question 33
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →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)[2 marks]State which star has the higher surface temperature. Explain your answer.
(b)[2 marks]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.
Question 34
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →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)[2 marks]What information about a star can scientists gain from knowing its position on the HR diagram? Give two points.
(b)[2 marks]State the region you would expect to find our Sun during the main stable period of its life.
Question 35
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student studies two stars: Alpha (surface temperature 3400 K) and Beta (surface temperature 8500 K). Both are located at the same distance from Earth and have the same luminosity.
(a)[2 marks]State the colour you would expect to see from each star based on their surface temperature.
(b)[2 marks]Classify each star using the star classification table.
(c)[2 marks]If both stars appear equally bright from Earth, describe what conclusions can be made about their absolute magnitude and their position in the Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram.
Question 36
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows data for three stars: Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Rigel. All three are located in the Milky Way.
Data for several stars Star Class Surface temperature (K) Sirius A 9500 Betelgeuse M 3200 Rigel B 12100 (a)[3 marks]For each star, state the likely colour you would observe.
(b)[2 marks]Describe the likely stage in the stellar life cycle for Betelgeuse and Rigel, based on their classification.
Question 37
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →An astronomer observes a distant galaxy and finds a star that is much more massive than the Sun. The star's surface temperature is 30,000 K, and it emits mostly blue light.
(a)[2 marks]Using the star classification table, state the spectral class of this star and its likely colour.
(b)[3 marks]Describe the final stages in the life of a star with much greater mass than the Sun, including possible remnants.