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Astrophysics

Supernovae, neutron stars and black holes

  • 5 things to know
  • Paper 3, section B

Overview

Type 1a supernovae as standard candles, gamma ray bursts, and the Schwarzschild radius.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What is in the Schwarzschild radius formula, and how does a type 1a supernova fade?

Process

What does a gamma ray burst emit, how much energy does it release, and why are type 1a supernovae standard candles?

Numbers

What produces a type 1a supernova, and what mass limit must be reached?

Key term

What evidence did observations of type 1a supernovae in distant galaxies provide about the Universe?

Numbers

What is the approximate peak absolute magnitude of a type 1a supernova?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What observable characteristic defines a supernova?

    Model answer

    A rapid increase in absolute magnitude, representing a sudden and dramatic brightening of a star.

  2. 2

    What is a neutron star primarily composed of?

    Model answer

    Almost entirely neutrons.

  3. 3

    How are the neutrons in a neutron star formed during its creation?

    Model answer

    Protons and electrons combine during gravitational collapse.

  4. 4

    What is the typical order of magnitude for the density of a neutron star?

    Model answer

    10¹⁷ to 10¹⁸ kg m⁻³.

  5. 5

    What property of escape velocity defines a black hole?

    Model answer

    The escape velocity is greater than the speed of light, meaning nothing can escape from within its event horizon.

  6. 6

    What type of star undergoes gravitational collapse to produce a gamma ray burst?

    Model answer

    A supergiant star.

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