Stars & the Universe (CIE IGCSE Physics: Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award))

Exam Questions

1 hour16 questions
11 mark

Which two elements are the most commonly found in the Sun?

  • Hydrogen and oxygen

  • Helium and carbon

  • Hydrogen and helium

  • Nitrogen and oxygen

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21 mark

Which of the following describes the lifecycle of a star about the size of the Sun?

  • interstellar hydrogen clouds → protostar → main sequence star → red supergiant  → black hole

  • interstellar hydrogen clouds → planetary nebula → main sequence star → red giant  → protostar→ white dwarf

  • interstellar hydrogen clouds → protostar → main sequence star → red giant  → planetary nebula → white dwarf

  • interstellar hydrogen clouds → protostar → main sequence star → red supergiant  → neutron star

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31 mark

Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate most of its energy in?

  •  radio, visible and gamma

  •  infrared, visible and ultraviolet

  •  infrared, X-rays and gamma

  •  infrared, visible and gamma

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11 mark

What is the correct description of the Milky Way?

  • Universe

  • Star

  • Galaxy

  • Nebula

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21 mark

How many years would it take light to travel from the centre of the Milky Way to the outer edge?

  • 500 years 

  • 50 000 years

  • 100 000 years

  • 100 000 light years

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31 mark

Extended tier only

What is the process which makes stable stars such as the Sun shine, and which element produced in the reaction?

  Process Element
A fusion oxygen
B fission hydrogen
C fusion helium
D fission hydrogen

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