IB Physics SL E.5.4 Stellar mass and evolution Question Bank
Practise IB Physics SL/HL E.5.4 by applying stellar mass and evolution concepts to exam-style physics questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Physics SL
- Level
- SL
Practise IB Physics SL/HL E.5.4 by applying stellar mass and evolution concepts to exam-style physics questions.
The graph shows an incomplete Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram. The position of the Sun and three other stars, A, B and C , are shown.

M⊙,R⊙ and L⊙ are the mass, radius and luminosity of the Sun.
Describe the main stages in the evolution of star A after leaving the main sequence.
«star A will evolve into a» red supergiant star
will then explode/supernova
creating a neutron star or black hole
« neutron star if core/remnant mass < the Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit/ a black hole if core more massive »
For MP3, award the mark if only one of neutron star OR black hole is mentioned.