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PHY3 AJune 2004

Charge coupled devices (CCDs) have higher efficiency than photographic emulsion, meaning they can detect a higher percentage of photons. This allows for advantages like better images. The COBE satellite detected the peak wavelength of the cosmic background radiation as 1.1 x 10-3 m, corresponding to a temperature of about 3K, which belongs to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. White dwarf stars differ from main sequence stars in that they are smaller and denser, and after becoming a white dwarf, a star will gradually cool over billions of years. On a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the most massive main sequence stars are located in region M and have the shortest lifetimes due to burning through their nuclear fuel the

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35 views1 page

PHY3 AJune 2004

Charge coupled devices (CCDs) have higher efficiency than photographic emulsion, meaning they can detect a higher percentage of photons. This allows for advantages like better images. The COBE satellite detected the peak wavelength of the cosmic background radiation as 1.1 x 10-3 m, corresponding to a temperature of about 3K, which belongs to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. White dwarf stars differ from main sequence stars in that they are smaller and denser, and after becoming a white dwarf, a star will gradually cool over billions of years. On a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the most massive main sequence stars are located in region M and have the shortest lifetimes due to burning through their nuclear fuel the

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api-3726022
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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PHY3 JUNE 2004 - TOPIC A - ASTROPHYSICS 30 minutes 1

Topic A – Astrophysics
1. (a) Charge coupled devices (CCDs) have a higher efficiency than photographic emulsion.
Explain what is meant by the term 'higher efficiency'.
State one advantage of this higher efficiency. [3]

(b) The satellite COBE was launched in 1989 to investigate the cosmic background radiation. COBE detected the peak
in the spectrum of the background radiation at a wavelength of 1.1 x 10-3 m.
Use this value to calculate the temperature of space. [2]
To what part of the electromagnetic spectrum does radiation of wavelength 1.1 x 10-3 m belong? [1]

(c) State two ways in which a white dwarf star differs from a main sequence star. [2]
Describe what happens to a star after it has become a white dwarf. [2]
A Hertzsprung-Russell diagram showing the main sequence is drawn below. The luminosity of the Sun = LΘ

Add a scale to the temperature axis to a copy of the above. [2]


Identify one star on your diagram which has a luminosity very similar to that of the Sun. Label this star X. [1]
Shade in a region on your diagram where white dwarf stars are located. Label this region W. [1]
Label with an M the region on your diagram where the most massive main sequence stars are located. [1]
Explain why the most massive main sequence stars have the shortest lifetimes.
You may be awarded a mark for the clarity of your answer. [4]

(d) Two stars, Deneb and Vega, are similar in colour.


What can be deduced about the surface temperatures of the two stars? Explain your answer. [2]
The table gives some information about the two stars.

Which star has the greater surface area?


Justify your answer. [3]
Which star will have the higher intensity and therefore appear brighter as seen from the Earth?
Show all your working. [4]

(e) The Gemini telescope on Hawaii has a diameter of 8.0 m; the Hubble space telescope has a diameter of 2.4 m.
Show that Gemini has more than 10x the light gathering power of Hubble. [2]
Give one situation in which large light-gathering power is important. [1]
A telescope of diameter 100m could be sunk into the ground.
Suggest an operational disadvantage of having an extremely large telescope sunk into the ground. [1]

Total 32 marks

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