Edexcel A-Level Physics A2 5.6.168 Hertzsprung Russell Diagram and Stellar Life Cycles Questions

Review H-R diagrams and stellar life cycles in Edexcel A-Level Physics through star-cluster ageing, fusion stages and evolutionary paths.

Exam points

explain main sequence to red giant to white dwarf evolution using hydrogen and helium fusion
use H-R diagram regions to trace evolutionary paths between main sequence, red giant and white dwarf
infer star-cluster age from missing upper main sequence stars, red giants and white dwarfs

[Maximum number: 6]

The astronomer Hertzsprung used parallax to determine the distances to some of the variable stars known as Cepheids.

The Sun is a yellow star with a surface temperature of about 6000 K . In the 20th century, astronomers discovered a large variety of stars in our galaxy. Hertzsprung and Russell developed the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram as a way of classifying stars.

An HR diagram is shown below.

Figure for Question Edexcel A-Level Physics A2 5.6.168 Hertzsprung Russell Diagram and Stellar Life Cycles Questions question 1 — Edexcel A-Level Physics A2

The position of a star on the HR diagram changes as the star evolves. Explain how a star like the Sun evolves as it progresses from zone Z3 to its final position on the HR diagram.

All question bank results loaded

Edexcel A-Level Physics A2 5.6.168 Hertzsprung Russell Diagram and Stellar Life Cycles Questions question 1