Physics 5054 · O Level · Stars

Stars — practice question

Fig. 8.1 shows a nebula that was produced by a supernova.
(a)[2]

State what is meant by the term ‘supernova’.

(b)[2]

Describe how a protostar develops inside a nebula.

(c(i))[1]

State the name of the galaxy in which our Sun is located.

(c(ii))[1]

State what is meant by the term a light-year.

(c(iii))[3]

One full orbit of our Sun around the black hole takes $7.3 \times 10^{15}\,\text{s}$. The separation between our Sun and the black hole is 26 000 light-years. $1\,\text{year} = 3.2 \times 10^{7}\,\text{s}$, speed of light $= 3.0 \times 10^{8}\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Calculate the speed of our Sun as it orbits the black hole. Show your working and give your answer in $\text{m s}^{-1}$.

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