All Questions SL Pagenumber 1

– 20 – M16/4/PHYSI/SP3/ENG/TZ0/XX
Option D — Astrophysics
12. (a) Describe one key characteristic of a nebula. [1]
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(b) Beta Centauri is a star in the southern skies with a parallax angle of
8.32 × 10−3 arc-seconds. Calculate, in metres, the distance of this star from Earth. [2]
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(c) Outline why astrophysicists use non-SI units for the measurement of astronomical
distance. [1]
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13. Aldebaran is a red giant star with a peak wavelength of 740 nm and a mass of
1.7 solar masses.
(a) Show that the surface temperature of Aldebaran is about 4000 K. [2]
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(Option D continues on the following page)
24EP20 1
(Option D, question 13 continued)
(b) The radius of Aldebaran is 3.1 × 1010 m. Determine the luminosity of Aldebaran. [2]
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(c) Outline how the light from Aldebaran gives evidence of its composition. [2]
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(d) Identify the element that is fusing in Aldebaran’s core at this stage in its evolution. [1]
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(e) Predict the likely future evolution of Aldebaran. [3]
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24EP21 2
(Option D continued)
14. (a) Light reaching Earth from quasar 3C273 has z = 0.16.
(i) Outline what is meant by z. [1]
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(ii) Calculate the ratio of the size of the universe when the light was emitted by the
quasar to the present size of the universe. [1]
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(iii) Calculate the distance of 3C273 from Earth using Ho = 68 km s−1 Mpc−1. [2]
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(b) Explain how cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation provides support for the
Hot Big Bang model. [2]
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End of Option D
24EP22 3
9. (a) Theta 1 Orionis is a main sequence star. The following data for Theta 1 Orionis
are available.
Luminosity L = 4 × 105 L
Radius R = 13R
Apparent brightness b = 4 × 10-11 b
where L, R and b are the luminosity, radius and apparent brightness of the Sun.
(i) State what is meant by a main sequence star. [1]
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(ii) Show that the mass of Theta 1 Orionis is about 40 solar masses. [1]
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(iii) The surface temperature of the Sun is about 6000 K. Estimate the surface
temperature of Theta 1 Orionis. [2]
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(iv) Determine the distance of Theta 1 Orionis in AU. [2]
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28EP23 4
(b) Discuss how Theta 1 Orionis does not collapse under its own weight. [2]
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(c) The Sun and Theta 1 Orionis will eventually leave the main sequence. Compare and
contrast the different stages in the evolution of the two stars. [3]
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10. (a) (i) State two characteristics of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. [2]
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(ii) The present temperature of the CMB is 2.8 K. Calculate the peak wavelength of
the CMB. [1]
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28EP24 5
(b) Describe how the CMB provides evidence for the Hot Big Bang model of the universe. [2]
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(c) A spectral line in the light received from a distant galaxy shows a redshift of z = 0.16.
(i) Determine the distance to this galaxy using a value for the Hubble constant
of H0 = 68 km s-1 Mpc-1. [2]
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(ii) Estimate the size of the Universe relative to its present size when the light was
emitted by the galaxy in (c). [2]
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28EP25 6
11. The diagram shows the structure of a typical main sequence star.
core
outer layer
(a) State the most abundant element in the core and the most abundant element in the
outer layer. [2]
core: ................................................................
outer layer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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28EP23 7

(b) The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram shows two main sequence stars X and Y and
includes lines of constant radius. R is the radius of the Sun.
L
L
star X
104
10R
star Y
10–3 0.1R
temperature
Using the mass–luminosity relation and information from the graph, determine
the ratio density of star X . [3]

density of star Y
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28EP24 8
(c) Star X is likely to evolve into a neutron star.
(i) On the HR diagram in (b), draw a line to indicate the evolutionary path of star X. [1]
(ii) Outline why the neutron star that is left after the supernova stage does not
collapse under the action of gravitation. [1]
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(iii) The radius of a typical neutron star is 20 km and its surface temperature is 106 K.
Determine the luminosity of this neutron star. [2]
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(iv) Determine the region of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the neutron star in
(c)(iii) emits most of its energy. [2]
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12. (a) Describe what is meant by the Big Bang model of the universe. [2]
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28EP25 9
(b) State two features of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation which are
consistent with the Big Bang model. [2]
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(c) A particular emission line in a distant galaxy shows a redshift z = 0.084.
The Hubble constant is H0 = 68 km s–1 Mpc–1.
(i) Determine the distance to the galaxy in Mpc. [2]
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(ii) Describe how type Ia supernovae could be used to measure the distance to
this galaxy. [3]
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End of Option D
28EP26 10
10. (a) Distinguish between
(i) the solar system and a galaxy. [1]
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(ii) a planet and a comet. [1]
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24EP19 11
11. The graph shows the observed spectrum from star X.
1.25
intensity /arbitrary units
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
wavelength /nm
The second graph shows the hydrogen emission spectrum in the visible range.
1
intensity /arbitrary units
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
400 425 450 475 500 525 550 575 600 625 650 675 700
wavelength /nm
(a) (i) Suggest, using the graphs, why star X is most likely to be a main sequence star. [2]
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(ii) Show that the temperature of star X is approximately 10 000 K. [2]
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(b) The following diagram shows the main sequence.
1 000 000
100 000
luminosity / solar luminosity
10 000
1000
100
10
0.1
0.01
0
100 000 10 000 1000
temperature / K
(i) Write down the luminosity of star X (LX) in terms of the luminosity of the Sun (Ls). [1]
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24EP21 13
(ii) Determine the radius of star X (RX) in terms of the radius of the Sun (Rs). [3]
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(iii) Estimate the mass of star X (MX) in terms of the mass of the Sun (Ms). [2]
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Star X is likely to evolve into a stable white dwarf star.
(c) Outline why the radius of a white dwarf star reaches a stable value. [2]
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24EP22 14
12. The Hubble constant is accepted to be 70 km s-1 Mpc-1. This value of the Hubble constant
gives an age for the universe of 14.0 billion years.
The accepted value of the Hubble constant has changed over the past decades.
(a) Explain how international collaboration has helped to refine this value. [1]
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The redshift of a galaxy is measured to be z = 0.19.
(b) Estimate, in Mpc, the distance between the galaxy and the Earth. [2]
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(c) Determine, in years, the approximate age of the universe at the instant when the
detected light from the distant galaxy was emitted. [3]
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End of Option D
24EP23 15
11. (a) Main sequence stars are in equilibrium under the action of forces. Outline how this
equilibrium is achieved. [2]
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(b) A main sequence star P, is 1.3 times the mass of the Sun. Calculate the luminosity of P
relative to the Sun. [1]
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32EP26 16
(c) The following data apply to the star Gacrux.
Radius = 58.5 × 109 m

Temperature = 3600 K
Distance = 88 ly
(i) The luminosity of the Sun L? is 3.85 × 1026 W. Determine the luminosity of Gacrux
relative to the Sun. [3]
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(ii) The distance to Gacrux can be determined using stellar parallax. Outline why
this method is not suitable for all stars. [1]
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32EP27 17
(d) A Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram is shown.
106
105
104
103
102
luminosity / L?
10
10– 1
10– 2
10– 3
20 000 10 000 5000 2500

temperature / K
On the HR diagram,
(i) draw the main sequence. [1]
(ii) plot the position, using the letter P, of the main sequence star P you calculated
in (b). [1]
(iii) plot the position, using the letter G, of Gacrux. [1]
32EP28 18
(e) Discuss, with reference to its change in mass, the evolution of star from the
main sequence until its final stable phase. [3]
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32EP29 19
12. Data from distant galaxies are shown on the graph.
5.0
A
4.0
3.0
velocity /
×104 km s– 1
2.0
1.0
0.0
0 100 200 300 400 500
500 600 700
distance / Mpc
(a) Estimate, using the data, the age of the universe. Give your answer in seconds. [3]
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32EP30 20
(b) Identify the assumption that you made in your answer to (a). [1]
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(c) On the graph, one galaxy is labelled A. Determine the size of the universe, relative to
its present size, when light from the galaxy labelled A was emitted. [3]
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End of Option D
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32EP31 21
11. The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram shows the Sun and a main sequence star X.
luminosity
X
Sun
L
temperature
The following data are available for the mass and radius of star X where M is the mass of
the Sun and R is the radius of the Sun:
MX = 5.0 M
RX = 3.2 R
(a) (i) Show that the luminosity of star X is about 280 times greater than the luminosity
of the Sun L. [1]
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surface temperature of star X

(ii) Determine the ratio . [2]
surface temperature of the Sun
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24EP18 22
(b) The parallax angle for star X is 0.125 arc-second.
(i) Outline how the parallax angle of a star can be measured. [2]
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(ii) Show that the distance to star X is 1.6 × 106 AU. [2]
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(iii) The apparent brightness of the Sun is 1400 Wm–2. Calculate, in Wm–2, the
apparent brightness of star X. [2]
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24EP19 23
(c) Star X will evolve to become a white dwarf star D.
(i) Label, on the HR diagram, the region of white dwarf stars. [1]
(ii) Outline the condition that prevents star D from collapsing further. [1]
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(iii) Star D emits energy into space in the form of electromagnetic radiation. State the
origin of this energy. [1]
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(iv) Predict the change in luminosity of star D as time increases. [1]
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12. (a) Light from a distant galaxy observed on Earth shows a redshift of 0.15.
(i) Outline what is meant by redshift. [1]
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(ii) Determine the distance to this galaxy assuming a Hubble constant of

H0 = 72 km s–1 Mpc–1. [2]
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24EP20 24
(b) (i) The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation provides strong evidence for
the Big Bang model. State the two main pieces of this evidence. [2]
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(ii) The graph shows the variation of the intensity I of the CMB with wavelength λ.
0 1 2 3 4 λ mm
Determine, using the graph, the temperature of the CMB. [2]
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End of Option D
24EP21 25
13. (a) (i) Outline the processes that produce the change of luminosity with time of
Cepheid variables. [2]
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(ii) Explain how Cepheid variables are used to determine distances. [2]
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28EP22 26
(b) The following data are available for the Cepheid variable δ-Cephei.
Peak luminosity = 7.70 × 1029 W

Distance from Earth = 273 pc
Peak wavelength of light = 4.29 × 10–7 m
(i) Determine the peak apparent brightness of δ-Cephei as observed from Earth. [2]
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(ii) Calculate the peak surface temperature of δ-Cephei. [1]
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(c) Astronomers claim to know the properties of distant stars. Outline how astronomers
can be certain that their measurement methods yield correct information. [1]
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(Option D continues on page 25)
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28EP23 27
Please do not write on this page.
Answers written on this page

will not be marked.
28EP24 28
14. The Hubble constant is 2.3 × 10-18 s-1.
(a) (i) A galaxy is 1.6 × 108 ly from Earth. Show that its recessional speed as measured
from Earth is about 3.5 × 106 m s-1. [2]
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(ii) A line in the hydrogen spectrum when measured on Earth has a wavelength
of 486 nm. Calculate, in nm, the wavelength of the same hydrogen line when
observed in the galaxy’s emission spectrum. [2]
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(b) Outline how observations of spectra from distant galaxies provide evidence that the
universe is expanding. [1]
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28EP25 29
15. The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram shows several star types. The luminosity of the Sun is L.
1 000 000
10 000
100
luminosity / L
1
100
1
10000 25 000 10 000 6000 3000
effective temperature / K
(a) Identify, on the HR diagram, the position of the Sun. Label the position S. [1]
(b) Suggest the conditions that will cause the Sun to become a red giant. [3]
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28EP26 30
(c) Outline why the Sun will maintain a constant radius after it becomes a white dwarf. [1]
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(d) During its evolution, the Sun is likely to be a red giant of surface temperature 3000 K
and luminosity 104 L. Later it is likely to be a white dwarf of surface temperature
radius of the Sun as a white dwarf
10 000 K and luminosity 10-4 L. Calculate the . [2]
radius of the Sun as a red giant
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End of Option D
28EP27 31
– 28 – N16/4/PHYSI/SP3/ENG/TZ0/XX
15. Alpha Centauri A and B is a binary star system in the main sequence.
Alpha Centauri A Alpha Centauri B
Luminosity 1.5L 0.5L
Surface temperature / K 5800 5300
(a) State what is meant by a binary star system. [1]
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b A apparent brightness of Alpha Centauri A

(b) (i) Calculate = . [2]
bB apparent brightness of Alpha Centauri B
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(ii) The luminosity of the Sun is 3.8 × 1026 W. Calculate the radius of Alpha Centauri A. [2]
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32EP28 32
(c) Show, without calculation, that the radius of Alpha Centauri B is smaller than the radius
of Alpha Centauri A. [2]
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(d) Alpha Centauri A is in equilibrium at constant radius. Explain how this equilibrium
is maintained. [3]
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32EP29 33
(e) A standard Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram is shown.
106
104
102
Lstar
L Sun
 100
10–2
10–4
40 000 20 000 10 000 5000 2500

temperature / K
Using the HR diagram, draw the present position of Alpha Centauri A and its expected
evolutionary path. [2]
32EP30 34
16. The first graph shows the variation of apparent brightness of a Cepheid star with time.
A
apparent
brightness
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
time / days
The second graph shows the average luminosity with period for Cepheid stars.
100 000
20 000
10 000
luminosity
/ solar
luminosities 2000
1000
200
100
1 2 5 10 20 50 100
period / days
(a) Determine the distance from Earth to the Cepheid star in parsecs. The luminosity
of the Sun is 3.8 × 1026 W. The average apparent brightness of the Cepheid star
is 1.1 × 10–9 W m–2. [3]
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32EP31 35
(b) Explain why Cephids are used as standard candles. [2]
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17. The peak wavelength of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation spectrum
corresponds to a temperature of 2.76 K.
(a) Identify two other characteristics of the CMB radiation that are predicted from the
Hot Big Bang theory. [2]
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(b) A spectral line in the hydrogen spectrum measured in the laboratory today has a
wavelength of 21 cm. Since the emission of the CMB radiation, the cosmic scale factor
has changed by a factor of 1100. Determine the wavelength of the 21 cm spectral line
in the CMB radiation when it is observed today. [1]
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End of Option D
32EP32 36
11. Two of the brightest objects in the night sky are the planet Jupiter and the star Vega.
The light observed from Jupiter has a similar brightness to that received from Vega.
(a) (i) Identify the mechanism leading stars to produce the light they emit. [1]
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(ii) Outline why the light detected from Jupiter and Vega have a similar brightness,
according to an observer on Earth. [2]
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28EP22 37
(b) Vega is found in the constellation Lyra. The stellar parallax angle of Vega is
about 0.13 arc sec.
(i) Outline what is meant by a constellation. [1]
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(ii) Outline how the stellar parallax angle is measured. [2]
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(iii) Show that the distance to Vega from Earth is about 25 ly. [2]
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28EP23 38
12. Sirius is a binary star. It is composed of two stars, Sirius A and Sirius B. Sirius A is a
main sequence star.
(a) State what is meant by a binary star. [1]
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(b) The peak spectral line of Sirius B has a measured wavelength of 115 nm. Show that
the surface temperature of Sirius B is about 25 000 K. [1]
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(c) The mass of Sirius B is about the same mass as the Sun. The luminosity of Sirius B
is 2.5 % of the luminosity of the Sun. Show, with a calculation, that Sirius B is not a
main sequence star. [2]
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28EP24 39
(d) The Sun’s surface temperature is about 5800 K.
(i) Determine the radius of Sirius B. [2]
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(ii) Identify the star type of Sirius B. [1]
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28EP25 40
(e) The image shows a Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram.
1 000 000 L
10 000 L
100 L
luminosity
L
Sun
1
L
100
1
L
10 000 25 000 10 000 6000 3000
temperature / K
The mass of Sirius A is twice the mass of the Sun. Using the Hertzsprung–Russell
(HR) diagram,
(i) draw the approximate positions of Sirius A, labelled A and Sirius B, labelled B. [1]
(ii) sketch the expected evolutionary path for Sirius A. [1]
28EP26 41
13. The collision of two galaxies is being studied. The wavelength of a particular spectral line
from the galaxy measured from Earth is 116.04 nm. The spectral line when measured from
a source on Earth is 115.00 nm.
(a) Outline one reason for the difference in wavelength. [1]
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(b) Determine the velocity of the galaxy relative to Earth. [2]
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End of Option D
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28EP27 42
11. A distinctive feature of the constellation Orion is the Trapezium, an open cluster of stars
within Orion.
(a) Distinguish between a constellation and an open cluster. [2]
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(b) Mintaka is one of the stars in Orion.
(i) The parallax angle of Mintaka measured from Earth is 3.64 10–3 arc-second.
Calculate, in parsec, the approximate distance of Mintaka from Earth. [1]
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(ii) State why there is a maximum distance that astronomers can measure using
stellar parallax. [1]
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12. The surface temperature of the star Epsilon Indi is 4600 K.
(a) (i) Determine the peak wavelength of the radiation emitted by Epsilon Indi. [1]
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28EP24 43
(ii) Using the axis, draw the variation with wavelength of the intensity of the radiation
emitted by Epsilon Indi. [2]
intensity
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100

wavelength, / nm
(iii) The following data are available for the Sun.
Surface temperature = 5800 K

Luminosity = L
Mass = M
Radius = R
Epsilon Indi has a radius of 0.73 R . Show that the luminosity of Epsilon Indi
is 0.2 L . [2]
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28EP25 44
(b) Epsilon Indi is a main sequence star. Show that the mass of Epsilon Indi is 0.64 M . [1]
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..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(c) Describe how the chemical composition of a star may be determined. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(d) Describe the stages in the evolution of Epsilon Indi from the point when it leaves the
main sequence until its final stable state. [3]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
28EP26 45
13. The graph shows the variation with distance from the Earth of the recessional velocities of
distant galaxies.
4
recessional velocity /
3
104 km s–1
2
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
distance from Earth /
Mpc
(a) Outline how Hubble measured the recessional velocities of galaxies. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(b) Using the graph, determine in s, the age of the universe. [3]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
End of Option D
Turn over
28EP27 46
10. Eta Cassiopeiae A and B is a binary star system located in the constellation Cassiopeia.
(a) Distinguish between a constellation and a stellar cluster. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(b) The following data are available.
Apparent brightness of Eta Cassiopeiae A = 1.1 × 10–9 Wm–2

Apparent brightness of Eta Cassiopeiae B = 5.4 × 10–11 Wm–2
Luminosity of the Sun, L = 3.8 × 1026 W
(i) The peak wavelength of radiation from Eta Cassiopeiae A is 490 nm. Show that
the surface temperature of Eta Cassiopeiae A is about 6000 K. [1]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(ii) The surface temperature of Eta Cassiopeiae B is 4100 K. Determine the ratio
radius of Eta Cassiopeiae A
. [3]
radius of Eta Cassiopeiae B
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
28EP22 47
(iii) The distance of the Eta Cassiopeiae system from the Earth is 1.8 × 1017 m.
Calculate, in terms of L , the luminosity of Eta Cassiopeiae A. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(c) A Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram is shown.
1 000 000 L
10 000 L
100 L
luminosity
L
1
L
100
1
L
10000 25 000 10 000 6000 3000
temperature / K
(i) On the HR diagram, draw the present position of Eta Cassiopeiae A. [1]
(ii) State the star type of Eta Cassiopeiae A. [1]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
Turn over
28EP23 48
mass of Eta Cassiopeiae A

(iii) Calculate the ratio . [1]
mass of the Sun
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(iv) Deduce the final evolutionary state of Eta Cassiopeiae A. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
11. (a) (i) Outline how the light spectra of distant galaxies are used to confirm hypotheses
about the expansion of the universe. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(ii) Light from a hydrogen source in a laboratory on Earth contains a spectral line
of wavelength 122 nm. Light from the same spectral line reaching Earth from a
distant galaxy has a wavelength of 392 nm. Determine the ratio of the present
size of the universe to the size of the universe when the light was emitted by the
galaxy. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
28EP24 49
(b) (i) Estimate the age of the universe in seconds using the Hubble constant
H0 = 70 km s–1 Mpc–1. [2]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
(ii) Outline why the estimate made in (b)(i) is unlikely to be the actual age of the
universe. [1]
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
End of Option D
28EP25 50

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– 20 – M16/4/PHYSI/SP3/ENG/TZ0/XX

12. (a) Describe one key characteristic of a nebula. [1]

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 13 continued)

(e) Predict the likely future evolution of Aldebaran. [3]

(Option D continues on the following page)

(i) Outline what is meant by z. [1]

(i) State what is meant by a main sequence star. [1]

(iv) Determine the distance of Theta 1 Orionis in AU. [2]

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 9 continued)

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 10 continued)

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

the ratio density of star X . [3]

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(c) Star X is likely to evolve into a neutron star.

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 12 continued)

(c) A particular emission line in a distant galaxy shows a redshift z = 0.084.

The Hubble constant is H0 = 68 km s–1 Mpc–1.

(i) Determine the distance to the galaxy in Mpc. [2]

10. (a) Distinguish between

(i) the solar system and a galaxy. [1]

(ii) a planet and a comet. [1]

(Option D continues on the following page)

11. The graph shows the observed spectrum from star X.

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(ii) Show that the temperature of star X is approximately 10 000 K. [2]

(b) The following diagram shows the main sequence.

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

Star X is likely to evolve into a stable white dwarf star.

(Option D continues on the following page)

The redshift of a galaxy is measured to be z = 0.19.

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(c) The following data apply to the star Gacrux.

Radius = 58.5 × 109 m

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(d) A Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram is shown.

20 000 10 000 5000 2500

(i) draw the main sequence. [1]

(iii) plot the position, using the letter G, of Gacrux. [1]

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(Option D continues on the following page)

12. Data from distant galaxies are shown on the graph.

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 12 continued)

surface temperature of star X

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(b) The parallax angle for star X is 0.125 arc-second.

(Option D continues on the following page)

(Option D, question 11 continued)

(c) Star X will evolve to become a white dwarf star D.

(iv) Predict the change in luminosity of star D as time increases. [1]

(i) Outline what is meant by redshift. [1]