AQA_2024: A-level Physics - Paper 3
Section B Astrophysics.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signatu re
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
Paper 3
Section B Astrophysics
Monday 17 June 2024 Morning Information
The marks for questions are
Materials
shown in brackets.
For this paper you must have:
The maximum mark for this
a pencil and a ruler
paper is 35.
a scientific calculator
You are expected to use a
a Data and Formulae Booklet
scientific calculator where
a protractor.
appropriate.
A Data and Formulae Booklet is
Instructions
provided as a loose insert.
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
Answer all questions.
Time allowed: The total time for both
sections of this paper is
IB/M/Jun24/E6
2 hours. You are advised to spend
approximately
For Examiner’s Use
50 minutes on this section.
You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do Question Mark
not write outside the box around each page or on blank 1
pages. 2
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at
3
the end of this book. Write the question number against your
answer(s). 4
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do
TOTAL
not want to be marked.
Show all your working.
, 2
Do not write
outside the
7408/3BA
For A-Level Physics Paper 3 Section B: Astrophysics, focus on the
following key areas:
1. The Universe and its Structure:
The Big Bang Theory: Understand the key ideas of the Big
Bang, the expansion of the universe, and how redshift and
cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) support this
theory.
Redshift: Be familiar with how redshift is used to measure
the velocity of distant galaxies and how it provides evidence
for the expanding universe.
Cosmological Models: Study models of the universe,
including the steady state theory and the expanding
universe. Understand how observations of distant galaxies
and cosmic background radiation contribute to these models.
2. Stellar Formation and Evolution:
Star Lifecycle: Understand the stages in the lifecycle of a
star, from nebula to main sequence star, red giant, and the
end states such as white dwarf, supernova, and neutron
star.
Fusion in Stars: Study the process of nuclear fusion,
particularly in main-sequence stars where hydrogen fuses to
form helium, and the release of energy that powers stars.
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: Be able to interpret the
Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram, which plots stars based
on their luminosity and temperature. Understand how this
diagram relates to the stages in a star’s life cycle.
3. Black Holes and Neutron Stars:
Black Holes: Understand the formation of black holes from
the collapse of massive stars and the concept of the event
horizon. Know the relationship between the mass of a star
and the formation of a black hole.
Neutron Stars: Study the formation and properties of neutron
stars following the collapse of stars with mass below the black
hole threshold.
4. Astronomical Distances:
Light Years and Parallax: Understand how light years are
used to measure vast distances in space. Know the technique
of stellar parallax to calculate distances to nearby stars.
Standard Candles: Study the use of standard candles (such
as Cepheid variables) to measure distances to far-off galaxies.
IB/M/Jun24/7408/3BA
, 3
boxwrite
Do not
outside the
Section B
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 A student uses a refracting telescope in normal adjustment to make
observations of Jupiter.
The telescope has an angular magnification of 75
0 1
. 1 The eyepiece has a focal length of 22 mm.
Determine the distance between the eyepiece and the objective lens.
[2 marks]
distance = m
0 1 . 2 When viewed through the telescope, the image of Jupiter subtends an angle
of 1.7 × 10−2 rad.
Calculate, in km, the distance between the Earth and Jupiter.
mean radius of Jupiter = 7.0 × 104 km
[2 marks]
distance = km
IB/M/Jun24/7408/3BA
, 4
Do not write
outside the
The student places a cap over one end of the telescope. The cap has a circular hole box
in its centre.
Figure 1 shows the end of the telescope, the objective lens and the cap.
Figure 1
0 1
. 3 State and explain the effect that the addition of the cap has on the chromatic
aberration caused by the lens.
[3 marks]
0 1 . 4 Explain two other effects that the addition of the cap has on the image of Jupiter.
[4 marks]
1
2
11
IB/M/Jun24/7408/3BA
Section B Astrophysics.
(Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signatu re
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
Paper 3
Section B Astrophysics
Monday 17 June 2024 Morning Information
The marks for questions are
Materials
shown in brackets.
For this paper you must have:
The maximum mark for this
a pencil and a ruler
paper is 35.
a scientific calculator
You are expected to use a
a Data and Formulae Booklet
scientific calculator where
a protractor.
appropriate.
A Data and Formulae Booklet is
Instructions
provided as a loose insert.
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
Answer all questions.
Time allowed: The total time for both
sections of this paper is
IB/M/Jun24/E6
2 hours. You are advised to spend
approximately
For Examiner’s Use
50 minutes on this section.
You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do Question Mark
not write outside the box around each page or on blank 1
pages. 2
If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at
3
the end of this book. Write the question number against your
answer(s). 4
Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do
TOTAL
not want to be marked.
Show all your working.
, 2
Do not write
outside the
7408/3BA
For A-Level Physics Paper 3 Section B: Astrophysics, focus on the
following key areas:
1. The Universe and its Structure:
The Big Bang Theory: Understand the key ideas of the Big
Bang, the expansion of the universe, and how redshift and
cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) support this
theory.
Redshift: Be familiar with how redshift is used to measure
the velocity of distant galaxies and how it provides evidence
for the expanding universe.
Cosmological Models: Study models of the universe,
including the steady state theory and the expanding
universe. Understand how observations of distant galaxies
and cosmic background radiation contribute to these models.
2. Stellar Formation and Evolution:
Star Lifecycle: Understand the stages in the lifecycle of a
star, from nebula to main sequence star, red giant, and the
end states such as white dwarf, supernova, and neutron
star.
Fusion in Stars: Study the process of nuclear fusion,
particularly in main-sequence stars where hydrogen fuses to
form helium, and the release of energy that powers stars.
Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram: Be able to interpret the
Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram, which plots stars based
on their luminosity and temperature. Understand how this
diagram relates to the stages in a star’s life cycle.
3. Black Holes and Neutron Stars:
Black Holes: Understand the formation of black holes from
the collapse of massive stars and the concept of the event
horizon. Know the relationship between the mass of a star
and the formation of a black hole.
Neutron Stars: Study the formation and properties of neutron
stars following the collapse of stars with mass below the black
hole threshold.
4. Astronomical Distances:
Light Years and Parallax: Understand how light years are
used to measure vast distances in space. Know the technique
of stellar parallax to calculate distances to nearby stars.
Standard Candles: Study the use of standard candles (such
as Cepheid variables) to measure distances to far-off galaxies.
IB/M/Jun24/7408/3BA
, 3
boxwrite
Do not
outside the
Section B
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 A student uses a refracting telescope in normal adjustment to make
observations of Jupiter.
The telescope has an angular magnification of 75
0 1
. 1 The eyepiece has a focal length of 22 mm.
Determine the distance between the eyepiece and the objective lens.
[2 marks]
distance = m
0 1 . 2 When viewed through the telescope, the image of Jupiter subtends an angle
of 1.7 × 10−2 rad.
Calculate, in km, the distance between the Earth and Jupiter.
mean radius of Jupiter = 7.0 × 104 km
[2 marks]
distance = km
IB/M/Jun24/7408/3BA
, 4
Do not write
outside the
The student places a cap over one end of the telescope. The cap has a circular hole box
in its centre.
Figure 1 shows the end of the telescope, the objective lens and the cap.
Figure 1
0 1
. 3 State and explain the effect that the addition of the cap has on the chromatic
aberration caused by the lens.
[3 marks]
0 1 . 4 Explain two other effects that the addition of the cap has on the image of Jupiter.
[4 marks]
1
2
11
IB/M/Jun24/7408/3BA
