Cosmology

Questions
Q1.

Kruger 60 is a binary star system quite close to the Sun.

(a) The wavelength, λmax, at which the intensity of radiation is a maximum is 850 nm for Kruger A and
1500 nm for Kruger B.
A website states that the surface temperature of Kruger A is double the surface temperature of Kruger
B.
Assess whether the website statement is accurate.
(3)
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(b) Kruger B can be used as a standard candle.

Describe how standard candles can be used to determine the distance to galaxies.
(4)
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(c) NGC 1357 is a spiral galaxy moving away from the Milky Way at a speed of 2.02 × 106 m s–1. The
spiral galaxy is 8.70 × 1023 m from the Earth.
Calculate a value for the age of the universe in years.
1 year = 3.15 × 107 s
(4)
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Age of universe = ........................................................... years

(Total for question = 11 marks)

Q2.

Pluto is a dwarf planet in the outer regions of our solar system. Pluto moves in an approximately circular
path around the Sun. The mean radius of the orbit is 5.91 × 1012 m.

(a) Calculate the intensity of radiation from the Sun incident on Pluto.
radius of Sun = 6.96 × 108 m
surface temperature of Sun = 5800 K
(4)
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Intensity of radiation from Sun incident on Pluto = ...........................................................

(b) Calculate the time, in years, that Pluto takes to make one complete orbit of the Sun.
1 year = 3.15 × 107 s
mass of Sun = 1.99 × 1030 kg
(4)
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Time for one orbit = ........................................................... years

(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q3.

A simple pendulum has a period of 2.00 s on Earth.

Calculate what the period would be if the pendulum was on the planet Venus.

mass of Venus = 4.87 × 1024 kg

radius of Venus = 6.05 × 106 m

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Period on Venus = ...........................................................

(Total for question = 4 marks)