Table 1 summarises some of the properties of four stars in the constellation Leo.
StarDistance/pcSpectral classApparent magnitudeZosma17.7A2.56Rasalas77K3.44Alterf103K3.44Subra34F3.52 \begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|}\hline \textbf{Star} & \textbf{Distance/pc} & \textbf{Spectral class} & \textbf{Apparent magnitude} \\ \hline \text{Zosma} & 17.7 & \text{A} & 2.56 \\ \hline \text{Rasalas} & 77 & \text{K} & 3.44 \\ \hline \text{Alterf} & 103 & \text{K} & 3.44 \\ \hline \text{Subra} & 34 & \text{F} & 3.52 \\ \hline \end{array} StarZosmaRasalasAlterfSubraDistance/pc17.77710334Spectral classAKKFApparent magnitude2.563.443.443.52Define the parsec. You may use a diagram as part of your description.
Deduce which star is larger, Rasalas or Alterf.
One of the four stars has the peak in its black-body radiation curve at a wavelength of 0.47 μm0.47\ \mu\text{m}0.47 μm. Calculate the corresponding temperature for this curve.
Explain which star produced the black-body radiation curve described in Part 3.
Which star has the brightest absolute magnitude?
Determine the absolute magnitude of Rasalas.
18 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Classification of stars (A-level only), covering Classification by luminosity (A-level only), Absolute magnitude, *M* (A-level only), Classification by temperature, black-body radiation (A-level only), Principles of the use of stellar spectral classes (A-level only), The Hertzsprung–Russell (HR) diagram (A-level only), and Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.