10. The Sun has a mass of 2.0 × 10^30 kg - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 10
10. The Sun has a mass of 2.0 × 10^30 kg.
A white dwarf has a mass of 3.4 × 10^29 kg.
Calculate the value of
mass of this white dwarf
mass of the Sun
(2)
(b) Fig... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:10. The Sun has a mass of 2.0 × 10^30 kg - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 10 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Calculate the value of mass of this white dwarf mass of the Sun
96%
114 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
To calculate the value of the mass of the white dwarf compared to the mass of the Sun, we can use the formula:
value=mass of Sunmass of white dwarf=2.0×1030 kg3.4×1029 kg=0.17
Step 2
Estimate the temperature of the Sun.
99%
104 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The estimated temperature of the Sun can be derived from the graph provided as Figure 18. Based on the typical values, the temperature of the Sun is approximately 5800 K.
Step 3
State how the brightness of a main sequence star changes with its temperature.
96%
101 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The brightness of a main sequence star increases with its temperature. Higher temperature stars tend to be more luminous.
Step 4
State how the brightness of a main sequence star changes with its mass.
98%
120 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
The brightness of a main sequence star also increases with its mass. Heavier stars are generally more luminous than lighter ones.
Step 5
Describe what happens during nuclear fusion.
97%
117 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
During nuclear fusion, smaller nuclei (such as hydrogen) combine to form a larger nucleus (like helium). This process occurs under extreme temperature and pressure conditions, allowing the overcoming of repulsion between the nuclei. As these nuclei fuse, a significant amount of energy is released, which powers the stars.
Step 6
Explain how a nebula may evolve into a main sequence star.
97%
121 rated
Only available for registered users.
Sign up now to view full answer, or log in if you already have an account!
Answer
A nebula, which is a cloud of gas and dust, begins to evolve into a main sequence star as gravity pulls the gas and dust together. As particles are pulled toward each other, they increase in density and temperature due to gravitational forces. Eventually, if the temperature becomes high enough, nuclear fusion starts, marking the formation of a main sequence star.
