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Question 19M.3.HL.TZ2.a

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Date May 2019 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 19M.3.HL.TZ2.a
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ2
Command term Explain Question number a Adapted from N/A
a.
[Maximum mark: 3]
19M.3.HL.TZ2.a

Explain the formation of a type I a supernova which enables the star to be used as a standard candle.

[3]

Markscheme

white dwarf attracts mass from another star ✔

explodes/becomes supernova when mass equals/exceeds the Chandrasekhar limit / 1.4MSUN ✔

hence luminosity of all type I a supernova is the same ✔

OWTTE

Examiners report

The formation of Type 1a supernovae was well known by most candidates but few were able to explain how this process resulted in a standard candle.

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