Question 18M.3.HL.TZ1.18
| Date | May 2018 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 5] | Reference code | 18M.3.HL.TZ1.18 |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Describe, Show that, State | Question number | 18 | Adapted from | N/A |
Describe the formation of a type Ia supernova.
[2]
a white dwarf accretes mass «from a binary partner»
when the mass becomes more than the Chandrasekhar limit (1.4Ms) «then asupernova explosion takes place»
[2 marks]
Type Ia supernovae typically have a peak luminosity of around 5 × 105 Ls, where Ls is the luminosity of the Sun (3.8 × 1026 W). A type Ia supernova is observed with an apparent peak brightness of 1.6 × 10–6 W m–2.
Show that the distance to the supernova is approximately 3.1 × 1018 m.
[2]
d =
d = 3.07 × 1018 «m»
At least 3 sig fig required for MP2.
[2 marks]
State one assumption made in your calculation.
[1]
type Ia supernova can be used as standard candles
there is no dust absorbing light between Earth and supernova
their supernova is a typical type Ia
[1 mark]
