The Sun formed about 4.6 billion years ago from a cloud of dust and gas called a nebula.
.1
Explain how the nebula became a star.
[3 marks].2
A main sequence star like the Sun stays the same size for billions of years. Why?
[1 mark]AQA Physics 8463 · Paper 2 · 4.8.1.1, 4.8.1.2, 4.8.1.3
The solar system, stars and orbits
1 of 4
Stars about the same size as the Sun go through the same stages in their life cycle.
.1
Put the stages in the life cycle of a star the size of the Sun in order, from first to last.
[1 mark].2
Which stage will the Sun be at after it has been a red giant?
[1 mark].3
Give what determines the life cycle that a star follows.
[1 mark]A star much more massive than the Sun swells into a red super giant near the end of its life.
.1
What happens to the red super giant next?
[1 mark].2
Give the two possible objects left behind after the supernova.
[2 marks].3
Explain how elements heavier than iron came to be found on Earth.
[2 marks]Star X has about the same mass as the Sun. Star Y is about 20 times more massive than the Sun.
Compare the life cycles of star X and star Y.
[6 marks]