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Astrophysics (option A)

From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
6(a)3 marks
A refracting telescope has objective focal length 1.20 m and eyepiece focal length 0.040 m. Calculate the angular magnification and the lens separation in normal adjustment.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
6(b)4 marks
Explain why large research telescopes are reflectors rather than refractors.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
6(c)3 marks
Calculate the minimum angular resolution of a 2.4 m telescope at 550 nm, and give one advantage of a CCD over the human eye.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
7(a)3 marks
A star has apparent magnitude 4.2 and is 50 pc away. Calculate its absolute magnitude.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
7(b)4 marks
A star has peak wavelength 290 nm. Calculate its surface temperature and state its spectral class. A second star has the same luminosity and a surface temperature of 5000 K. Calculate the ratio of their radii.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
7(c)*6 marks
Describe the evolution of a star like the Sun from the main sequence to its final state, and show its path on a Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
8(a)3 marks
The Hα line (656.3 nm) from a galaxy is observed at 669.4 nm. Calculate the galaxy's recession speed.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
8(b)3 marks
Taking H₀ = 70 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹, calculate the distance to this galaxy and estimate the age of the Universe.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
8(c)3 marks
Give three pieces of evidence for the Big Bang model.
From Paper 3 (Section A + Option A: Astrophysics)
8(d)3 marks
Explain two methods of detecting exoplanets.
Score 0 / 35 · 0 of 10 marked

This paper is written by Plasmo in the style of the AQA A-Level Physics exam. It is not a past paper and is not produced or endorsed by the exam board.

Astrophysics (option A) Exam Questions: AQA A-Level Physics | Plasmo