Complete the sentences - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 9 - 2020 - Paper 1

The equation is:

$s = vt$

where: s = distance travelled, v = speed, t = time.

To find the time taken for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth, we can use the formula:

$t = \frac{s}{v}$

Given that the mean distance (s) is $1.5 \times 10^{11} \text{ m}$ and the speed of light (v) is $3.0 \times 10^{8} \text{ m/s}$:

$t = \frac{1.5 \times 10^{11}}{3.0 \times 10^{8}} = 500 \text{ s}$

The life cycle of stars much more massive than the Sun begins when a large cloud of gas and dust, primarily composed of hydrogen, collapses under its own gravity to form a protostar. As the protostar develops, temperatures increase until nuclear fusion begins, marking its entry into the main sequence phase.

During the main sequence phase, the star fuses hydrogen into helium. Once it exhausts hydrogen in its core, it enters a red supergiant stage, where it begins fusing heavier elements.

As fusion moves to heavier elements, the star continues to expand and cool. Eventually, iron is formed in the core, but iron cannot be fused into heavier elements due to its stability. This leads to the core collapsing under gravity, resulting in a supernova explosion.

The supernova disperses elements throughout space, allowing for the formation of new stars and planetary systems. Heavier elements created during fusion, such as carbon and oxygen, are released into the universe, contributing to the next generation of stars and planets. The remnants left behind can become a neutron star or a black hole.

The property that the range of wavelengths depends on is Temperature.