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Classification of stars (A-level only)

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Question 3

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

Table 2

NameApparent magnitudeAbsolute magnitudeSpectral class
Beta Trianguli3.001.35A
Alpha Trianguli3.421.95F
Gamma Trianguli4.011.20K
HD 131825.300.90K
a.

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

[3]
b.

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

[2]
c.

Deduce which star, Gamma Trianguli or HD 13182, has the larger diameter.

[3]
d.

Astronomers recently used the radial velocity method to discover an exoplanet orbiting HD 13182. Describe the main features of the radial velocity method in the detection of planets.

[2]
e.

Calculate the distance from the Earth to Beta Trianguli. 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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