AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Higher), June 2024: Question 3

16 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Answer questions about stars, solar system objects, black hole formation, unit conversions, red-shift in galaxies, light travel time calculations, and stellar nucleosynthesis.

Practise this question

Question

A series of six questions about the Universe and stars. Question 03.1 asks to give three other types of object that form our solar system. Table 3 lists four stars and their masses in kg: Arcturus (2.2 x 10^30), Betelgeuse (2.2 x 10^31), Cygni A (1.4 x 10^30), and The Sun (2.0 x 10^30); 03.2 asks which star is most likely to form a black hole; 03.3 asks to convert 1.1 x 10^6 gigametres into metres with multiple-choice checkboxes. Question 03.4 shows Figure 7 with light spectra (dark absorption lines) for the Sun, Galaxy A, and Galaxy B, and asks to explain what they tell us about their velocities. Question 03.5 asks to calculate the time taken for light to travel from Arcturus to Earth given its distance and the speed of light. Question 03.6 asks to describe how stars produce all other naturally occurring elements.
Question text

03 The Universe contains many stars.

03.1 The Sun is the star at the centre of our solar system.

Give three other types of object that form our solar system.

[3 marks]

Some main sequence stars will eventually form black holes.

Table 3 gives the mass of four stars.

Table 3

Star Mass in kg

Arcturus 2.2 × 1030

Betelgeuse 2.2 × 1031

Cygni A 1.4 × 1030

The Sun 2.0 × 1030

03.2 Which star in Table 3 is most likely to form a black hole?

[1 mark]

03.3 The distance from Cygni A to the Earth is 1.1 × 108 gigametres.

Which distance is the same as 1.1 × 108 gigametres?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

1.1 × 1011 m

1.1 × 1014 m

1.1 × 1017 m

1.1 × 1020 m

03.4 The light spectrum from every galaxy includes dark lines.

The lines have the same pattern.

Figure 7 shows the position of dark lines in the visible spectra of light from the Sun

and from two distant galaxies.

Figure 7

Explain what these light spectra tell us about the velocities of galaxy A and galaxy B.

[3 marks]

03.5 The distance between Arcturus and the Earth is 3.6 × 1014 km.

speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m/s

Calculate the time taken for light from Arcturus to reach the Earth.

Use the Physics Equations Sheet.

[4 marks]

Time taken = s

03.6 When stars are formed, they contain mostly hydrogen.

Describe how stars produce all other naturally occurring elements.

[4 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme for Question 3 detailing answers and mark allocations for parts 03.1 through 03.6. Part 03.1 accepts planets, dwarf planets, moons/natural satellites (3 marks). Part 03.2 accepts Betelgeuse (1 mark). Part 03.3 accepts 1.1 x 10^17 m (1 mark). Part 03.4 awards marks for explaining red-shift and relative speeds of Galaxy A and B (3 marks). Part 03.5 provides marking points for distance conversion, substitution, rearrangement, and final calculation of time in seconds (4 marks). Part 03.6 uses a level-of-response mark scheme (Level 1 and Level 2) with indicative content covering nuclear fusion, helium nuclei, elements up to iron, and supernovae for elements heavier than iron (4 marks).

Question 3

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.1 planets 1 AO1

4.8.1.1

dwarf planets 1

moons 1

or

natural satellites

allow asteroids / meteors /

meteoroids / meteorites

allow comets

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.2 Betelgeuse 1 AO3

4.8.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.3 1.1 × 1017 m 1 AO2

4.8.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.4 both show red-shift so both are 1 AO3

moving away from us 4.8.2

or

the wavelength of the

(absorption) lines has increased

so both are moving away from

us

A shows a greater red-shift 1

(than B)

so A is travelling faster (than B) – – 1 –

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.5 s = 3.6 × 1017 (m) 1 AO2

4.5.6.1.2

3.6 × 1017 = 3.0 × 108 × t allow a correct substitution of an 1 11

incorrectly / not converted value

for s

3.6 × 1017 allow a correct re-arrangement 1

8 = 𝑡 using an incorrectly / not

3.0 × 10

converted value for s

t = 1.2 × 109 (s) allow a correct calculation using 1

an incorrectly / not converted

or value for s

t = 1 200 000 000 (s)

AO /

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.6 Level 2: Scientifically relevant facts, events or processes are 3–4 AO1

identified and given in detail to form an accurate account. 4.8.1.2

Level 1: Facts, events or processes are identified and simply 1–2

stated but their relevance is not clear.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

• fusion occurs at high temperatures

• fusion produces new elements

• hydrogen nuclei fuse to form helium nuclei

• hydrogen (in the core) begins to run out

• helium nuclei fuse to make heavier elements

• up to iron

• some massive stars become supernovae

• creating elements heavier than iron

Total Question 3 16

How to answer it

AQA GCSE Physics: Space Physics Exam Study Guide

What this question tests

This question assesses your knowledge of the solar system, the life cycle of massive stars, standard form and unit conversions, red-shift and galactic motion, speed-distance-time calculations, and nuclear fusion processes that create natural elements.

Question 03.1 (3 marks)

Components of the Solar System

✅ Correct Answers (Any 3)

  • Planets
  • Dwarf planets
  • Moons (or natural satellites)
Mark: 1 mark per correct object (Max 3). Also accepts asteroids, meteors, meteoroids, meteorites, and comets.

💡 Key Knowledge

Recall the hierarchical structure of our solar system. The Sun is at the centre, orbited by planets, dwarf planets, and natural satellites (moons), alongside smaller bodies like comets and asteroids.

Question 03.2 (1 mark)

Star Evolution & Mass

✅ Correct Answer

Betelgeuse

Mark: 1 mark for the correct star name.

💡 Key Knowledge

Only stars with a very large initial mass (much larger than the Sun) will eventually form black holes (via a supernova). Looking at Table 3, Betelgeuse has the largest mass ( 2.2 × 10³¹ kg ).

Question 03.3 (1 mark)

Standard Form and Prefixes

✅ Correct Answer

1.1 × 10¹⁷ m

Mark: 1 mark for ticking the correct box.

🧠 Exam Technique & Conversion

The prefix giga means × 10⁹ . Therefore, 1.1 × 10⁸ gigametres = 1.1 × 10⁸ × 10⁹ m = 1.1 × 10¹⁷ m (add indices: 8 + 9 = 17).

Question 03.4 (3 marks)

Red-Shift and Galactic Velocities

✅ Marking Points

  • Both show red-shift (or absorption lines have shifted towards the red end / increased in wavelength), meaning both are moving away from us.
  • Galaxy A shows a greater red-shift than Galaxy B.
  • Therefore, Galaxy A is travelling faster than Galaxy B.
Mark: 1 mark for red-shift/moving away, 1 mark for comparing amount of shift, 1 mark for linking shift to speed.

❌ Common Errors

Students often state that the galaxies are "expanding" rather than "moving away from us". Remember: space itself expands, carrying galaxies apart, so we describe galaxies as moving away from an observer.

Question 03.5 (4 marks)

Calculations: Speed, Distance, Time

📐 Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Convert distance to metres:
    3.6 × 10¹⁴ km = 3.6 × 10¹⁴ × 10³ m = 3.6 × 10¹⁷ m
  2. Recall formula:
    speed = distance ÷ time (or t = s ÷ v )
  3. Substitute values:
    3.6 × 10¹⁷ = 3.0 × 10⁸ × t
  4. Rearrange & calculate:
    t = (3.6 × 10¹⁷) ÷ (3.0 × 10⁸)
    t = 1.2 × 10⁹ s (or 1 200 000 000 s)
Mark: 1 mark for distance conversion, 1 mark for correct substitution, 1 mark for rearrangement, 1 mark for final answer with unit.

❌ Common Calculation Traps

Forgetting to convert kilometres into metres ( × 10³ ) is the #1 place students lose marks here. The mark scheme allows ecf (error carried forward) if you substitute an incorrect distance conversion into the formula correctly.

Question 03.6 (4 marks)

Life Cycle of Stars and Element Formation

✅ Indicative Content (Level 2: 3–4 marks)

  • Nuclear fusion occurs at extremely high temperatures in stars.
  • Hydrogen nuclei fuse together to form helium nuclei.
  • When core hydrogen runs out, helium and heavier nuclei fuse to form heavier elements up to iron.
  • Elements heavier than iron are produced during a supernova (when massive stars explode).
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Scientifically relevant facts identified in detail.
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Simple statements with unclear relevance.
0 marks: No relevant content.

🧠 Exam Technique for 6-Mark / Extended Writing

Structure your answer chronologically: start with main sequence stars (hydrogen fusing to helium), move to later stages (making heavier elements up to iron), and finish with massive stars going supernova to create elements heavier than iron.

Topics

Physics · P8: Space Physics (physics only)

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Higher), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.