1. This question is about some of the properties of Barnard’s star.

Barnard’s star, in the constellation Ophiuchus, has a parallax angle of 0.549 arc-second
as measured from Earth.

(a) With the aid of a suitable diagram, explain what is meant by parallax angle and
outline how it is measured.

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(6)

(b) Deduce that the distance of Barnard’s star from the Sun is 5.94 ly.

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(2)

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 apparent brightness of Barnard's star
(c) The ratio apparent brightness of the Sun is 2.6 × 10–14.

(i) Define the term apparent brightness.

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(2)

luminosity of Barnard' s star

(ii) Determine the value of the ratio luminosity of the Sun (1 ly = 6.3 ×
104 AU).
(4)

(d) The surface temperature of Barnard’s star is about 3 500 K. Using this information
and information about its luminosity, explain why Barnard’s star cannot be

(i) a white dwarf.

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(1)

(ii) a red giant.

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(1)
(Total 16 marks)

2. This question is about Cepheid variables.

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(a) Define

(i) luminosity.

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(1)

(ii) apparent brightness.

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(1)

(d) (i) The maximum luminosity of this Cepheid variable is 7.2 × 1029 W. Use data
from the graph to determine the distance of the Cepheid variable.

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(3)

(ii) Cepheids are sometimes referred to as “standard candles”. Explain what is

meant by this.

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(2)
(Total 13 marks)

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5
OPTION: ASTROPHYSICS 2 ( SL/HL)

1. This question is about determining the surface area of the star Wolf-359.

(a) Distinguish between apparent brightness and apparent magnitude.

Apparent
brightness: ...................................................................................................

Apparent
magnitude: ...................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Outline how the surface temperature of a star is determined.

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(3)

(c) The following data are available for the star Wolf-359 and the Sun.

Apparent brightness of Wolf-359 = 1.97×10–12Wm–2

Distance of Wolf-359 from Earth = 4.93×105AU
Surface temperature of Wolf-359 = 4.00×103K
Surface temperature of Sun = 6.00×103K

For Wolf-359, use the data to,

(i) suggest which method is used to measure its distance from Earth.

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 (2)

(ii) explain whether its apparent magnitude is greater or less than the apparent
magnitude of the Sun.

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(2)

(iii) deduce that its luminosity is 1.35×1023W.

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(3)

(d) Determine the surface area of Wolf-359.

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(2)

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 (Total 14 marks)

2. This question is about Cepheid variables.

(a) Define

(i) luminosity.

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(1)

(ii) apparent brightness.

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(1)

(c) The following data are available for the star Wolf-359 and the Sun.

Apparent brightness of Wolf-359 = 1.97×10–12Wm–2

Distance of Wolf-359 from Earth = 4.93×105AU
Surface temperature of Wolf-359 = 4.00×103K
Surface temperature of Sun = 6.00×103K

For Wolf-359, use the data to,

(i) suggest which method is used to measure its distance from Earth.

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.

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.

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(2)

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 (ii) explain whether its apparent magnitude is greater or less than the apparent
magnitude of the Sun.

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(2)

(iii) deduce that its luminosity is 1.35×1023W.

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(3)

(d) Determine the surface area of Wolf-359.

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(2)