Stars and the Universe: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 24May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  As the Universe expands, the wavelength of electromagnetic waves reaching the Earth from distant galaxies increases. This can cause waves that are emitted in one part of the electromagnetic spectrum to be detected in another part of that spectrum.

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Sun is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row describes the Sun and the Milky Way?

  Try this question
• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which description of a galaxy is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the name of the galaxy that contains the Sun?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the approximate diameter of the Milky Way?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity does a light-year measure?

  Try this question
• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diameter of the Milky Way is approximately ......1...... ......2...... .

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Sun is a star that radiates energy towards the Earth. Which regions of the electromagnetic spectrum make up most of the Sun's radiation received on the Earth?

  Try this question
• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The early Universe was filled with gamma radiation. Since then, the radiation has shifted to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. How has this change affected the wavelength and speed of the radiation?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Sun transfers energy to the Earth through electromagnetic radiation. What are two of the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to which most of the energy belongs?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Light received from distant galaxies is observed to have a longer wavelength than the light originally emitted. This is called redshift. Which conclusion do astronomers form about distant galaxies from this observation?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Sun is not correct?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What provides evidence that the Universe is expanding?

  Try this question
• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In approximately five billion years, our Sun will run out of hydrogen fuel in its core. Which row shows two later stages in its life cycle?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  In which given region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate the least of its energy?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Milky Way galaxy is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The nearest star to the Sun is about four light-years away from the Earth.

  Try this question
• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Proxima Centauri is one of the closest stars to the Earth and is located approximately $4.3\text{light-years}$ away. What is this distance in kilometres?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Light from distant galaxies is redshifted when it is observed from Earth. Which property of the light increases when light is redshifted?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a radio signal from the Earth being reflected by Pluto and returning to the Earth. The distance between the Earth and Pluto is $0.00050\text{ light-years}$. What is the time taken for the radio signal to return to the Earth after being sent?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows some elements and some regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which row shows one of the most common elements in the Sun and one of the regions in which the Sun radiates most of its energy?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The Milky Way is a ......1...... made up of about a hundred ......2...... stars.

  Try this question
• Question 11May/June 2026, paper 31Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 11.1 represents the Solar System. Four of the planets are labelled. Give the names of the other four planets.

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  The galaxy Draco II is a distance of $6.6\times {10}^{20}\text{ m}$ from Earth. What is this distance in light-years?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table lists some information about some stars. Which star will eventually explode as a supernova?

  Try this question
• Question 9May/June 2026, paper 41Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A beam of white light is dispersed in a glass prism. Figure 9.1 shows the paths taken by green, indigo, red and yellow light. State which of the rays, 1, 2, 3 or 4, is: • the green ray ....................

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  What is a possible result of a supernova explosion?

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  To determine the value of the Hubble constant, an astronomer measures the distance of a galaxy from the Earth as $2.5\times {10}^{21}\text{ km}$.

  Try this question
• Question 11May/June 2026, paper 43Structured7 marks

  The Sun is an example of a stable star. Describe the process that releases energy in the Sun.

  Try this question