Astro Summary Prac Qs [26 marks]
1. 18M.3.SL.TZ2.12
Data from distant galaxies are shown on the graph.
(a) Estimate, using the data, the age of the universe. Give your answer in seconds.
[3]
(b) Identify the assumption that you made in your answer to (a).
[1]
(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]
2. 18M.3.SL.TZ1.11
The graph shows the observed spectrum from star X.
1
The second graph shows the hydrogen emission spectrum in the visible range.
(a.i) Suggest, using the graphs, why star X is most likely to be a main sequence star.
[2]
(a.ii) Show that the temperature of star X is approximately 10 000 K.
[2]
2
The following diagram shows the main sequence.
(b.i) Write down the luminosity of star X (LX) in terms of the luminosity of the Sun (Ls).
[1]
(b.ii) Determine the radius of star X (RX) in terms of the radius of the Sun (Rs).
[3]
(b.iii) Estimate the mass of star X (MX) in terms of the mass of the Sun (Ms).
[2]
(c) Star X is likely to evolve into a stable white dwarf star.
Outline why the radius of a white dwarf star reaches a stable value.
[2]
3. 19M.3.SL.TZ2.15
The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram shows several star types. The luminosity of the Sun is
L☉.
3
(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]
(c) Outline why the Sun will maintain a constant radius after it becomes a white dwarf.
[1]
(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 10 000 K and
radius of the Sun as a white dwarf
luminosity 10-4 L☉. Calculate the radius of the Sun as a red giant
.
[2]
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ANSWERS
1. 18M.3.SL.TZ2.12
Data from distant galaxies are shown on the graph.
(a) Estimate, using the data, the age of the universe. Give your answer in seconds.
[3]
Markscheme
𝑣 1 𝑑
use of gradient or any coordinate pair to find H0 «= » or «= »
𝑑 𝐻0 𝑣
82×103
convert Mpc to m and km to m «for example 106 ×3.26×9.46×1015
»
1
age of universe «= 𝐻 » = 3.8 × 1017 «s»
0
Allow final answers between 3.7 × 1017 and 3.9 × 1017 «s» or 4 × 1017 «s» [3
marks]
(b) Identify the assumption that you made in your answer to (a).
5
[1]
Markscheme
non-accelerated/uniform rate of expansion OR H0 constant over time OWTTE [1
mark]
(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]
Markscheme
𝑣 4.6×104 ×103
z « = 𝑐» = 3.00×108
= 0.15
𝑅
𝑅0
= «z + 1» = 1.15
𝑅0 1
=« =» 0.87
𝑅 1.15
OR 87% of the present size [3 marks]
2. 18M.3.SL.TZ1.11
The graph shows the observed spectrum from star X.
The second graph shows the hydrogen emission spectrum in the visible range.
6
(a.i) Suggest, using the graphs, why star X is most likely to be a main sequence star.
[2]
Markscheme
the wavelengths of the dips correspond to the wavelength in the emission
spectrum the absorption lines in the spectrum of star X suggest it contains
predominantly hydrogen OR main sequence stars are rich in hydrogen [2
marks]
(a.ii) Show that the temperature of star X is approximately 10 000 K.
[2]
Markscheme
peak wavelength: 290 ± 10 «nm»
2.9×10−3
T = 290×10−9 = «10 000 ± 400 K»
Substitution in equation must be seen. Allow ECF from MP1. [2 marks][
The following diagram shows the main sequence.
7
(b.i) Write down the luminosity of star X (LX) in terms of the luminosity of the Sun (Ls).
[1]
Markscheme
35 ± 5Ls [1 mark]
(b.ii) Determine the radius of star X (RX) in terms of the radius of the Sun (Rs).
[3]
Markscheme
𝐿X 𝑅X2 × T4X
=
𝐿s 𝑅s2 × T4s
OR
𝐿X T4s
𝑅X = √ × 𝑅s
𝐿𝑠 T4X
35×60004
𝑅X = √ 10 0004
× 𝑅s (mark for correct substitution)
8
RX = 2.1Rs Allow ECF from (b)(i). Accept values in the range: 2.0 to 2.3Rs. Allow
TS in the range: 5500 K to 6500 K. [3 marks]
(b.iii) Estimate the mass of star X (MX) in terms of the mass of the Sun (Ms).
[2]
Markscheme
1
MX = (35)3.5 Ms
MX = 2.8Ms Allow ECF from (b)(i).
1
Do not accept MX = (35)3.5 for first marking point.
Accept values in the range: 2.6 to 2.9Ms. [2 marks]
(c) Star X is likely to evolve into a stable white dwarf star.
Outline why the radius of a white dwarf star reaches a stable value.
[2]
Markscheme
the star «core» collapses until the «inward and outward» forces / pressures are
balanced the outward force / pressure is due to electron degeneracy pressure
«not radiation pressure» [2 marks]
3. 19M.3.SL.TZ2.15
The Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram shows several star types. The luminosity of the Sun is
L☉.
9
(a) Identify, on the HR diagram, the position of the Sun. Label the position S.
[1]
Markscheme
the letter S should be in the region of the shaded area ✔
10
(b) Suggest the conditions that will cause the Sun to become a red giant.
[3]
Markscheme
the fusion of hydrogen in the core eventually stops
OR
core contracts ✔
the hydrogen in a layer around the core will begin to fuse ✔
Sun expands AND the surface cools ✔
helium fusion begins in the core ✔
Sun becomes more luminous/brighter✔
Ignore any mention of the evolution past the red giant stage
(c) Outline why the Sun will maintain a constant radius after it becomes a white dwarf.
[1]
11
Markscheme
electron degeneracy <<prevents further compression>> ✔ Ignore mention of the
Chandrasekhar limit.
Award [0] for answer mentioning radiation pressure or fusion reactions.
(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 10 000 K and
radius of the Sun as a white dwarf
luminosity 10-4 L☉. Calculate the .
radius of the Sun as a red giant
[2]
Markscheme
© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024
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