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Classification of stars (A-level only)

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Question 12

Table 2 gives physical data for the massive blue supergiant star Aludra and the Sun.

Table 2

NameRadius / m\text{m}mSurface temperature / K\text{K}K
Aludra5.6×1095.6 \times 10^{9}5.6×10930 00030\,00030000
Sun7.0×1087.0 \times 10^{8}7.0×1086 0006\,0006000
1.

Calculate the ratio:

power output of Aludrapower output of the Sun \frac{\text{power output of Aludra}}{\text{power output of the Sun}} power output of the Sunpower output of Aludra​
[4]
2.

Discuss why the evolution of a massive supergiant star in our local galactic neighbourhood poses a significant threat to biosphere preservation on Earth.

[3]
Markscheme

Classification of stars (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Classification of stars (A-level only)

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.

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