Physics · IGCSE · Cambridge · Cambridge IGCSE (9–1) Physics 0972 (Extended) (2026–2028) · Specification point · 6.2.2 · Space physics · Stars and the Universe
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6.2.2 Stars
| Core | Supplement |
|---|---|
1 State that: (a) galaxies are each made up of many billions of stars (b) the Sun is a star in the galaxy known as the Milky Way (c) other stars that make up the Milky Way are much further away from the Earth than the Sun is from the Earth (d) astronomical distances can be measured in light-years, where one light-year is the distance travelled in (the vacuum of) space by light in one year | 2 Know that one light-year is equal to |
3 Describe the life cycle of a star:
(a) a star is formed from interstellar clouds of gas and dust that contain hydrogen
(b) a protostar is an interstellar cloud collapsing and increasing in temperature as a result of its internal gravitational attraction
(c) a protostar becomes a stable star when the inward force of gravitational attraction is balanced by an outward force due to the high temperature in the centre of the star
(d) all stars eventually run out of hydrogen as fuel for the nuclear reaction
(e) most stars expand to form red giants and more massive stars expand to form red supergiants when most of the hydrogen in the centre of the star has been converted to helium
(f) a red giant from a less massive star forms a planetary nebula with a white dwarf star at its centre
(g) a red supergiant explodes as a supernova, forming a nebula containing hydrogen and new heavier elements, leaving behind a neutron star or a black hole at its centre
(h) the nebula from a supernova may form new stars with orbiting planets