Stars and the Universe — Paper 2 · IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972

38 Nuclear fusion is a reaction that takes place in stars. Which row describes this reaction? action of atomic nuclei energy A an atomic nucleus splits into absorbed two or more smaller nuclei B an atomic nucleus splits into released two or more smaller nuclei C atomic nuclei join together absorbed to form a larger nucleus D atomic nuclei join together released to form a larger nucleus

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2018

39 Which nuclear reaction powers a stable star? A nuclear fission of nuclei producing hydrogen B nuclear fission of a uranium nucleus into a krypton nucleus and a barium nucleus C nuclear fusion of a krypton nucleus and a barium nucleus into a uranium nucleus D nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei producing helium

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

40 Which stages in the life cycle of a star are listed in the order that they occur? A interstellar dust cloud → stable star → protostar B protostar → red giant → stable star C red giant → white dwarf → protostar D stable star → red giant → white dwarf

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

39 Which nuclear reaction produces the release of energy to power a star? A nuclear fission of helium into hydrogen B nuclear fission of hydrogen into helium C nuclear fusion of helium into hydrogen D nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

40 What is the definition of the Hubble constant? A the ratio of the speed at which a galaxy is receding from the Earth to its distance from the Earth B the value of the change in wavelength of the galaxy’s starlight due to redshift C the constant used to represent the rate of expansion of the Universe in all directions D the estimated constant equal to the age of the Universe

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

39 Which statement about the Sun is correct? A The Sun is a dwarf star consisting mostly of hydrogen and oxygen. B The Sun is a giant star consisting mostly of helium and carbon dioxide. C The Sun is a medium-sized star consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium. D The Sun is a medium-sized star consisting mostly of nitrogen and oxygen.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2023

40 The table lists some information about some stars. Which star will eventually explode as a supernova? name of star type of star temperature / C A Aldebaran red giant 3 700 B Betelgeuse red supergiant 3 300 C Geminga neutron star 520 000 D Sirius B white dwarf 25 000

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2023

38 What is the main process that powers the Sun? A burning of helium and oxygen B burning of hydrogen and oxygen C nuclear fusion of hydrogen to form helium D nuclear fission of helium to form hydrogen

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

39 A galaxy is 3.0  1020 km from the Earth. At which speed is the galaxy moving away from the Earth? A 660 km / s B 6600 km / s C 660 m / s D 6600 m / s

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

40 An astronomer observes a distant galaxy. The table shows how the distance and the speed of recession of the galaxy are determined. Which row is correct? distance speed of recession A brightness of a change in wavelength of supernova in the galaxy starlight from the galaxy B brightness of a brightness of supernova in the galaxy the galaxy C brightness of change in wavelength of the galaxy starlight from the galaxy D brightness of brightness of the galaxy a supernova

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

39 Which statement about the life cycle of a star is correct? A All stars eventually run out of hydrogen as fuel. B A red giant forms a planetary nebula with a supernova at its centre. C A white dwarf star eventually forms a black hole. D Most stars expand and form protostars.

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

40 A galaxy at a distance of 3.1  1021 km is moving away from the Earth with a speed of 7000 km / s. What is the Hubble constant H0 calculated using this data and what is the speed of a galaxy at a distance of 6.2  1021 km from the Earth? speed of galaxy H0 / s–1 km / s A 2.3  10–18 3 500 B 2.3  10–18 14 000 C 4.4  1017 3 500 D 4.4  1017 14 000

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

39 Which statement about the Sun is correct? A The nuclear reactions in the Sun create mainly radio waves and microwaves. B The Sun is powered by fission reactions in which hydrogen is converted into helium. C The Sun is powered by fission reactions in which lithium is converted into helium. D The Sun is powered by fusion reactions and electromagnetic radiation is produced.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

40 To determine the value of the Hubble constant, an astronomer measures the distance of a galaxy from the Earth as 2.5  1021 km. She also measures the speed of recession of the galaxy from the Earth as 5.2  103 km / s. From these data, what is the value of the Hubble constant? A 7.7  10–26 s–1 B 2.1  10–18 s–1 C 4.8  1017 s–1 D 1.3  1025 s–1

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

39 Which statement about the Universe is correct? A The Universe consists of 100 000 galaxies. B Redshift is a decrease in the observed wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from receding galaxies. C Light emitted from distant galaxies appears redshifted. D Redshift of the light from distant galaxies gives evidence that the Universe is contracting.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

40 Which statement about the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) is correct? A CMBR now has a frequency higher than that of infrared radiation. B CMBR has always had exactly the same frequency. C CMBR had a shorter wavelength in the past. D CMBR was produced a long time after the Universe was formed.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

40 A galaxy is at a distance of 60 million light-years from the Earth. The galaxy is moving away at a speed of 1300km/s. One light-year is about 9.5 x 10'*km. There are about 3.2 x 10’ seconds in one year. Which expression can be used to estimate the age of the Universe in years? 60 x 10® x 3.2 x 10” 1300 x 9.5 x 10" 60 x 10° x 9.5 x 10" B 1300 x 3.2 x 10’ C 1300 x 9.5 x 10" 60 x 10® x 3.2 x 10” D 1300 x 3.2 x 10’ 60 x 10° x 9.5 x 10"

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025