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Stars, distances and the H-R diagram: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Stars, distances and the H-R diagram (specification points 156–160), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,540 questions

  1. Q5

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 5: X and Y are identical stars. When viewed from Earth the intensity of star X is four times the intensity of star Y. Which of the following explanations is possib

  2. Q21(d)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    5 marksBlack body radiationStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 21(d): The Hertzsprung–Russell diagram below shows part of the main sequence of stars. The star Sirius A is marked on the diagram. L / LSun 10 000 1000 100 Sirius A 10

  3. Q1

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 1: A Hertzsprung–Russell diagram for stars in our galaxy is shown. V, W, X, Y and Z are positions on the diagram. 6 10 10 4 2 10 W Luminosity / L V 1 X –2 10 Y Z

  4. Q3

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 3: Two stars, P and Q, are observed from Earth. The intensity of radiation from P is less than that from Q. The parallax angle for P is greater than that for Q. Wh

  5. Q17(b)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    2 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 17(b)(iii): This star is a main sequence star. Explain why main sequence stars do not collapse due to gravitational forces. (2)

  6. Q5

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5: Betelgeuse is a red giant star. The surface temperature of Betelgeuse is TB and the surface area of Betelgeuse is AB. The surface temperature of the Sun is TS a

  7. Q15(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 15(c): Add the position of VY Canis Majoris to the Hertzsprung Russell diagram to determine which type of star it is. (2) 106 104 102 1 10−2 10−4 24 000 12 000 6000 30

  8. Q17(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    3 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagramRedshift and cosmology
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 17(c): Trigonometric parallax and Hubble’s law are two methods used to determine astronomical distances. Explain whether either of these methods is suitable to determi

  9. Q9(a)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 9(a)(i): Explain how we can tell that the young star cluster is in the early stages of its evolution. (2)

  10. Q9(a)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    4 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 9(a)(ii): Explain why the most massive stars in the cluster have the greatest luminosities. (4)

  11. Q9(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 9(b)(i): It is suggested that the relationship between luminosity L and surface temperature T is of the form L = kT n where k and n are constants. Explain why a graph of

  12. Q9(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    5 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 9(b)(ii): The table shows data for stars in this cluster. L / LSun T / K 39.5 10 600 545 16 400 20 600 26 800 535 000 44 900 1 770 000 53 300 Plot a graph of log L agains

  13. Q9(b)(iii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 9(b)(iii): Determine a value for n. (2) n =

  14. Q4

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagramRedshift and cosmology
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 4: There are several different methods that can be used to determine the distance from our solar system to astronomical objects. These include the measurement of r

  15. Q9

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 9: A student finds a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram in an old astronomy book and notices that the axes aren’t the same as in her current textbook. –10 Supergiants –5

  16. Q11(a)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    4 marksBlack body radiationStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 11(a): An advertisement for solar panels claims that the intensity of radiation from the Sun incident at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere is more than 2 kW m−2. Asses

  17. Q1

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 1: Five regions are labelled on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shown. 1 10° 104 - 2 10° - :: 1- 10-2- •1. : • • 104 T T 12000 24000 6000 3000 Temperature / K Whic

  18. Q6(b)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    1 markStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 6(b): The transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the atmosphere is shown on the graph. 100 0 10–7 10–6 10–5 10–4 10–3 10–2 10–1 wavelength / m State one ad

  19. Q19(a)(i)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    3 marksStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 19(a)(i): Show that the luminosity of Proxima Centauri is about 0.002 L . (3) distance to Proxima Centauri = 4.00 × 1016 m L = 3.85 × 1026 W

  20. Q19(a)(ii)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    3 marksBlack body radiationStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 19(a)(ii): Proxima Centauri is described on a website as a main sequence star. Determine whether the surface temperature of Proxima Centauri is consistent with a position
All 27 questions on Stars, distances and the H-R diagram, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): X and Y are identical stars. When viewed from Earth the intensity of star X is four times the intensity of star Y. Which of the following explanations is possib
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q21(d) (5 marks): The Hertzsprung–Russell diagram below shows part of the main sequence of stars. The star Sirius A is marked on the diagram. L / LSun 10 000 1000 100 Sirius A 10
  3. June 2024, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): A Hertzsprung–Russell diagram for stars in our galaxy is shown. V, W, X, Y and Z are positions on the diagram. 6 10 10 4 2 10 W Luminosity / L V 1 X –2 10 Y Z
  4. June 2023, Paper 2, Q3 (1 mark): Two stars, P and Q, are observed from Earth. The intensity of radiation from P is less than that from Q. The parallax angle for P is greater than that for Q. Wh
  5. June 2023, Paper 2, Q17(b)(iii) (2 marks): This star is a main sequence star. Explain why main sequence stars do not collapse due to gravitational forces. (2)
  6. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5 (1 mark): Betelgeuse is a red giant star. The surface temperature of Betelgeuse is TB and the surface area of Betelgeuse is AB. The surface temperature of the Sun is TS a
  7. November 2021, Paper 2, Q15(c) (2 marks): Add the position of VY Canis Majoris to the Hertzsprung Russell diagram to determine which type of star it is. (2) 106 104 102 1 10−2 10−4 24 000 12 000 6000 30
  8. November 2021, Paper 2, Q17(c) (3 marks): Trigonometric parallax and Hubble’s law are two methods used to determine astronomical distances. Explain whether either of these methods is suitable to determi
  9. November 2021, Paper 3, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain how we can tell that the young star cluster is in the early stages of its evolution. (2)
  10. November 2021, Paper 3, Q9(a)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why the most massive stars in the cluster have the greatest luminosities. (4)
  11. November 2021, Paper 3, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): It is suggested that the relationship between luminosity L and surface temperature T is of the form L = kT n where k and n are constants. Explain why a graph of
  12. November 2021, Paper 3, Q9(b)(ii) (5 marks): The table shows data for stars in this cluster. L / LSun T / K 39.5 10 600 545 16 400 20 600 26 800 535 000 44 900 1 770 000 53 300 Plot a graph of log L agains
  13. November 2021, Paper 3, Q9(b)(iii) (2 marks): Determine a value for n. (2) n =
  14. October 2020, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): There are several different methods that can be used to determine the distance from our solar system to astronomical objects. These include the measurement of r
  15. October 2020, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): A student finds a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram in an old astronomy book and notices that the axes aren’t the same as in her current textbook. –10 Supergiants –5
  16. October 2020, Paper 3, Q11(a) (4 marks): An advertisement for solar panels claims that the intensity of radiation from the Sun incident at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere is more than 2 kW m−2. Asses
  17. June 2019, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Five regions are labelled on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shown. 1 10° 104 - 2 10° - :: 1- 10-2- •1. : • • 104 T T 12000 24000 6000 3000 Temperature / K Whic
  18. June 2019, Paper 3, Q6(b) (1 mark): The transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the atmosphere is shown on the graph. 100 0 10–7 10–6 10–5 10–4 10–3 10–2 10–1 wavelength / m State one ad
  19. June 2018, Paper 2, Q19(a)(i) (3 marks): Show that the luminosity of Proxima Centauri is about 0.002 L . (3) distance to Proxima Centauri = 4.00 × 1016 m L = 3.85 × 1026 W
  20. June 2018, Paper 2, Q19(a)(ii) (3 marks): Proxima Centauri is described on a website as a main sequence star. Determine whether the surface temperature of Proxima Centauri is consistent with a position
  21. June 2018, Paper 2, Q19(c) (3 marks): Describe how the distance to nearby stars like Proxima Centauri is determined. (3)
  22. June 2017, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): Four regions A, B, C and D are labelled on the Hertzsprung‑Russell diagram. luminosity / L 106 D 104 102 C 1 B A 10–2 10–4 24 000 12 000 6000 3000 temperature
  23. June 2017, Paper 2, Q13(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by a standard candle. (1)
  24. June 2017, Paper 2, Q13(b) (2 marks): Explain why trigonometric parallax is not used beyond a certain distance. (2)
  25. June 2017, Paper 3, Q9(a) (2 marks): It is suggested that the relationship between luminosity and mass is of the form L = LSun M p where L = luminosity, M = (mass of star / mass of the Sun) and LSu
  26. June 2017, Paper 3, Q9(b)(i) (5 marks): Plot a graph of log L against log M. You may use the columns provided to show any processed data. (5)
  27. June 2017, Paper 3, Q9(b)(ii) (4 marks): Determine values for p and LSun and hence state the mathematical relationship between L and M. (4)

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