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

The equation that links these quantities is:

$s = vt$

The time taken for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth can be calculated using the formula:

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

Substituting the known values:

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

The life cycle of massive stars begins with the fusion of hydrogen into helium in their cores, making them main-sequence stars. Over time, as hydrogen is exhausted, they start to fuse helium into heavier elements such as carbon and oxygen. When helium runs low, the core contracts and heats up, allowing for the fusion of heavier elements, leading to the formation of a supernova.

During the supernova explosion, elements heavier than iron are synthesized, which can be dispersed throughout the universe, enriching it with new elements and contributing to the formation of new stars and planets. The remnants can result in a neutron star or a black hole depending on the mass of the original star.

The range of wavelengths emitted by a star primarily depends on its temperature.