IB Physics

Assessment paper: D Astrophysics

1. This question is about the Big Bang model.

a) Describe what is meant by cosmic background radiation.

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b) Explain how cosmic background radiation is evidence in support of the Big
Bang model of the universe.

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c) State one other piece of evidence in support of the Big Bang model.

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d) A student makes the statement that “as a result of the Big Bang, the universe
is expanding into a vacuum”. Discuss whether the student’s statement is
correct.

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(Total 7 marks)

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IB Physics
Assessment paper: D Astrophysics

2. A partially completed Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram for some stars in the

Milky Way galaxy is shown below.

a) On the diagram
(i) identify the regions associated with red giants (label the region R)
and white dwarfs (label the region W). (1)
(ii) mark with the letter S the approximate present position of the Sun.
(1)
(iii) draw the evolutionary path of the Sun from its present position to its
ultimate position. (2)

b) At the end of its main sequence lifetime, a star of approximately ten times
the mass of the Sun will start to produce energy at a much higher rate and
its surface will become cooler. Outline how it is possible for the star to be
producing more power and yet its surface is cooling.

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(Total 6 marks)

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IB Physics
Assessment paper: D Astrophysics

3. This question is about cosmology.

a) State what is meant by critical density.

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b) Recent measurements suggest that the mass density of the universe is likely
to be less than the critical density. State what this observation implies for
the evolution of the universe in the context of the Big Bang model.

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c) (i) Outline what is meant by dark matter.

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(ii) Give two possible examples of dark matter.

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(Total 6 marks)

4. This question is about cosmic background radiation.

a) Describe what is meant by cosmic background radiation.

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b) The graph on the next page shows the spectrum of the cosmic background
radiation i.e. the variation, with wavelength, of the intensity of the cosmic
background radiation.

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IB Physics
Assessment paper: D Astrophysics

There is evidence to suggest that the universe will expand forever. On the
diagram, sketch a graph to show the spectrum of the background radiation
for the universe many millions of years from now. (2)
(Total 4 marks)

5. This question is about Hubble’s law.

The light received from many distant galaxies is red-shifted.
a) State the cause of this red-shift.

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b) State Hubble’s law.

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c) Deduce the relationship between the age of the universe T and the Hubble
constant H. State any assumptions you have made.

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(Total 4 marks)

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IB Physics
Assessment paper: D Astrophysics

6. The question is about stellar radiation and the star Betelgeuse.

a) Explain the term black-body radiation.

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The diagram below is a sketch graph of the black-body radiation spectrum of a
certain star.

b) Label the x-axis of the graph. (1)

c) On the graph, sketch the black-body radiation spectrum of a star that has a
lower surface temperature and lower apparent brightness than this star.
(2)

The star Betelgeuse in the Orion constellation emits black-body radiation that
has a maximum intensity at a wavelength of 0.97 μm.
d) Deduce that the surface temperature of Betelgeuse is about 3000 K.

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(Total 5 marks)

7. State and explain two conditions that are necessary for nuclear fusion to be
initiated in a star.

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(Total 4 marks)

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IB Physics
Assessment paper: D Astrophysics

8. Spectra lines for a star system are observed on day 1, day 35, and day 69. The
spectral lines for days 1 and 69 are identical. On day 35 there are two lines for
every one line on day 1 (one at a smaller wavelength and one at a larger
wavelength).
a) Explain what type of star system is being observed.

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b) Include a diagram in the space provided that supports your answer in a).

(2)
(Total 4 marks)

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