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Our Sun is in its main sequence stage - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2014 - Paper 1
Question 6
Our Sun is in its main sequence stage. (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer. A star of much greater mass than the Sun wil... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Our Sun is in its main sequence stage - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2014 - Paper 1
Step 1
i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
Answer
The correct answer is A: a black hole. This is because a star much greater in mass than the Sun will eventually exhaust its nuclear fuel and undergo a gravitational collapse, leading to the formation of a black hole.
Step 2
ii) Describe how the Sun reached its main sequence stage.
Answer
The Sun began its life in a nebula, which is a cloud of gas and dust. Particles in the nebula were attracted together by gravity, leading to an increase in density. As these particles clumped together, potential energy was converted into kinetic energy, causing the core to heat up. Once the temperature and pressure were sufficiently high, hydrogen fusion began in the core, marking the Sun's transition to the main sequence stage.
Step 3
iii) Suggest why knowing the age of the oldest star is not enough to tell scientists the age of the Universe.
Answer
Knowing the age of the oldest star does not provide a definitive age for the Universe because the Universe could contain stars that are younger than the oldest star. Additionally, the processes of star formation and death vary, meaning that the age of one star cannot determine the time frame of the formation of all stars and galaxies in the Universe.