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Classification of stars (A-level only)

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Question 2

Table 2 shows some properties of four stars in the constellation Delphinus.

Table 2

NameApparent magnitudeAbsolute magnitudeSpectral class
Alpha Delphini3.77-0.40A
Beta Delphini3.631.23F
Gamma Delphini5.15-1.10K
HD 1965675.82-2.30K
1.

Discuss, with reference to the Hipparcos scale, why many star maps show only two stars in the constellation Delphinus.

[3]
2.

State and explain which star in Table 2 has the most prominent Hydrogen Balmer absorption lines.

[2]
3.

Deduce which star, Gamma Delphini or HD 196567, has the larger diameter.

[3]
4.

Astronomers recently used the radial velocity method to discover an exoplanet orbiting HD 196567. Describe the main features of the radial velocity method in the detection of planets.

[2]
5.

Calculate the distance from the Earth to Beta Delphini. Give an appropriate unit for your answer.

[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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