Question 1: Define a supernova and describe the main stages leading to this explosion.

Answer: A supernova is a powerful and luminous explosion of a star at the end of its life cycle, occurring when the star's core collapses or when it expels its outer layers. The main stages include the depletion of nuclear fuel, core collapse, and the explosion resulting from the rebound or runaway nuclear reactions.

Question 2: Explain the difference between a Type Ia supernova and a Type II supernova.

Answer: Type Ia supernovae occur in binary systems when a white dwarf accumulates enough material to trigger a runaway nuclear reaction, while Type II supernovae happen when a massive star's core collapses after nuclear fuel exhaustion.

Question 3: Describe the role of nuclear fusion in the life cycle of a star before it becomes a supernova.

Answer: Nuclear fusion in a star's core combines lighter elements into heavier elements, releasing energy that counters gravitational collapse and sustains the star's brightness during its main life stages.

Question 4: Calculate the approximate energy released during a supernova if a star expels 10^44 joules of energy. Show your working.

Answer: Energy released = 10^44 joules. (Given in the question; students should state the value directly.)

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to demonstrate the concept of a core collapse in a star. Describe the variables involved and safety precautions needed.

Answer: Students should describe an experiment simulating gravitational collapse using a ball representing a star's core, with variables including mass, density, and pressure. Safety precautions involve handling materials carefully and avoiding sharp objects. (Note: Actual physical replication of core collapse is not feasible; focus is on conceptual understanding.)

Question 2: A supernova was observed in a galaxy 50 million light-years away. The supernova's brightness decreased by half every 10 days. How does this information help astronomers estimate the supernova's distance and age?

Answer: The brightness decrease pattern (light curve) helps determine the supernova's intrinsic brightness, which, compared with its apparent brightness, allows distance estimation. The rate of brightness decline also provides clues about the supernova's age since explosion.

Question 1: Scientists have observed that supernovae distribute heavy elements like iron and sulfur into space. Explain how this process contributes to the formation of new stars and planets.

Answer: Supernovae eject heavy elements into space, enriching interstellar gas clouds. These enriched clouds can collapse under gravity to form new stars and planets, incorporating the heavy elements into their composition.

Question 2: Discuss how understanding supernovae has contributed to technological advancements in space observation and analysis.

Answer: Studying supernovae has driven advancements in telescopic technology, such as sensitive detectors and spectrometers, enabling detailed analysis of cosmic phenomena. It has also improved data processing algorithms and contributed to the development of space-based observatories, enhancing our understanding of the universe's expansion and element formation.