D.2 Stellar Evolution
For IB Physics SL/HL students
Question 1
What is the main source of energy for a star on the main sequence?
a) Gravitational contraction
b) Nuclear fission
c) Nuclear fusion
d) Chemical reactions
Question 2
When a star runs out of hydrogen fuel in its core, what happens next?
a) The star collapses into a black hole.
b) The star explodes in a supernova.
c) The star expands into a red giant.
d) The star remains stable and its temperature decreases.
Question 3
What is the primary factor determining the final stage of a star's life?
a) Its age
b) Its mass
c) Its composition
d) Its temperature
Question 4
What is the name of the limit that determines whether a star's remnant becomes a white dwarf or collapses further?
a) Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit
b) Chandrasekhar limit
c) Stellar mass limit
d) Fusion limit
Question 5
Which of the following statements is true about a neutron star?
a) It is formed from the collapse of a star's core exceeding the Chandrasekhar limit.
b) It is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
c) It is the final stage of all stars.
d) It is supported by the pressure of tightly packed neutrons.
Question 6
In the red giant phase of a star's evolution, what happens to the core temperature and pressure?
a) Both temperature and pressure decrease.
b) Both temperature and pressure increase.
c) Temperature increases, pressure decreases.
d) Temperature decreases, pressure increases.
Question 7
What is the main source of energy for a star in the red supergiant phase?
a) Hydrogen fusion in the core
b) Shell burning of hydrogen around a helium core
c) Helium fusion in the core
d) Gravitational collapse
Question 8
What happens to the Sun after the white dwarf stage?
a) It will explode in a supernova.
b) It will continue to cool down and eventually become a black hole.
c) It will continue to cool down indefinitely.
d) It will reignite nuclear fusion in its core.
Question 9
What is the main reason why the Oppenheimer-Volkoff limit is higher than the Chandrasekhar limit?
a) Neutron stars are denser than white dwarfs.
b) Neutron stars have a stronger magnetic field.
c) Neutrons experience a stronger degeneracy pressure than electrons.
d) Neutron stars are remnants of stars with lower initial mass.
Question 10
Briefly explain the difference between a planetary nebula and a supernova.