The diagram below shows a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
On this graph, the luminosity of the Sun is 1.
(a) What is the correct label and suitable unit for the horizontal axis?
Label = TEMPERATURE unit = K / °C [2]
(b) What type of star do each of the letters A. B, C and D correspond to?
(b)(i) A = RED SUPERGIANT
(b)(ii) B = RED GIANT
(b)(iii) C = MAIN SEQUENCE
(b)(iv) D = WHITE DWARF [4]
(c) Put a cross (X) on the diagram to show the position of the Sun. [1]
(d) At the end of their lives most stars cool down and emit less and less energy. Draw an
arrow on the diagram to show the direction the star labelled (*) would move as it cools down
and emits less energy. [2]
[Total: 9]
Below shows the Hertzsprung Russell diagram.
(a) What does T, on the horizontal axis, represent?
SURFACE TEMPERATURE [1]
(b) Circle the dot on the diagram which represents our Sun. SEE DIAGRAM [1]
(c) Describe the appearance of the star labelled X compared to our Sun.
DIMMER
RED / MORE RED [2]
(d)(i) Name the group of stars towards the bottom left of the diagram.
WHITE DWARFS [1]
(d)(ii) Discuss the properties of this group of stars and explain where they fit in to the
evolution of a star.
DIM / LOW LUMINOSITY / BRIGHTNESS
VERY HOT
TOWARDS THE END OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE STAR
BEFORE BLACK DWARF [4]
[Total:9]
The diagram below shows a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
L
U
M
I
N
O
S
I
T
Y
TEMPERATURE / K / °C
BLUE YELLOW RED
(a) Label the axes with appropriate labels, and a unit for the horizontal axis. [3]
(b)(i) One of the axes can also be shown as the colour of a star. On the Hertzsprung-Russell
diagram label this axis with the colours blue, red and yellow. [2]
(b)(ii) What is the relationship between the colours and the numbers on this axis.
THE HIGHER THE NUMBER / TEMPERATURE, THE NEARER TO THE BLUE END OF THE
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM THE COLOUR IS [2]
(c) (i) On the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, put a ring around a star that produces most of its
energy by the fusion of hydrogen. ANYWHERE ON THE MAIN SEQUENCE [1]
(ii) Explain how scientists know that there is hydrogen in stars.
SPECTRAL LINES SHOW THE SAME ABSOPRTION LINES AS FROM HYDROGEN WHEN
MEASURED ON EARTH [2]
(d) Why can black holes not be plotted on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram?
THEY EMIT NO LIGHT / HAVE ZERO LUMINOSITY [1]
[Total: 11]
Below shows the Hertzsprung Russell diagram. The arrowed line on the graph shows the life of
a star like the Sun.
(a)(i) When the star is at point A on the track, what is the name that we give to that type of
star?
RED GIANT [1]
(a)(ii) When the star is at point B on the track, what is the name that we give to that type of
star?
WHITE DWARF [1]
(a)(iii) On the diagram, draw the track of a star which has a much higher mass than that of the
Sun. STARTS TO LEFT ON MS, MOVES UP/RIGHT, STOPS THERE [3]
(b) Complete the following sentences about stars, using words from the list below.
carbon helium hydrogen iron uranium
(b)(i) Stars with a low mass do not fuse elements with nuclei bigger than helium
(b)(ii) These nuclei will fuse when the star is a red giant to form carbon and some heavier
nuclei like nitrogen and oxygen.
(b)(iii) When a high mass star becomes a supernova it has a core that is made up of iron [3]
(c) ce has been measured as 5778 K. What is this
temperature in Celsius? Any use of 273
temperature = 5505 °C [2]
[Total: 10]
