Name: ________________________

AQA A Level Physics

Astrophysics 3.9.1 Class: ________________________

Date: ________________________

Time: 99 minutes

Marks: 62 marks

Q1 to Q4 to be worked through with tutor. Q5 to Q8 to be

Comments:
worked through independently.

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 (a) State two similarities between a radio telescope and an optical reflecting telescope.
1
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) The dish of a radio telescope has holes of diameter 20 mm spaced close together in its
reflecting surface in order to reduce the weight of the dish. Explain why the performance of
this telescope will be far more satisfactory when receiving signals of frequency
7.5 × 108 Hz than when receiving signals of frequency 1.5 × 1010 Hz.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Explain why the resolving power of a single dish radio telescope is normally much less than
that of a normal optical telescope.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

(a) A telescope is made from two converging lenses of focal lengths 2.50 m and 0.020 m.
2
(i) Show, with the aid of a labelled diagram, how the lenses would be placed for normal
adjustment. Show, on the diagram, the principal focus of each lens.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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 (ii) The telescope is used to observe a planet which subtends an angle of 5.0 × 10–5 rad
at the objective. Calculate the angle subtended at the eye by the final image.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) The diagram (not drawn to scale) shows an incomplete Cassegrain reflecting telescope. F1
is the principal focus of the concave mirror.

(i) Add to the diagram the second necessary mirror, M.

(ii) Complete the path of the two rays through the telescope when it is in normal
adjustment. Show your reasoning in drawing these rays, either on the diagram or
below. Label the principal focus, F2, of the eye lens, and the position of C, the centre
of curvature of M.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(6)

(c) (i) State what is meant by chromatic aberration and explain the effect it would have on
the image in an uncorrected refracting telescope.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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 (ii) Explain why the Cassegrain telescope would be almost free of chromatic aberration.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 15 marks)

(a) A radio telescope with a reflecting dish of diameter d receives signals from a radio source.
3
Show that the power of the signal received by the telescope is proportional to d2.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) A radio telescope has a dish of radius 60 m and detects a signal of power 7.5 × 10–16 W
from a radio source. If the distance of the source from the telescope is 2.5 × 1028 m,
calculate the power of the source. Assume that the energy is radiated uniformly in all
directions and that there is no absorption of energy.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

Many astronomical observations rely on a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) to obtain an image.
4 Describe the structure and operation of the CCD and discuss the advantages of using a CCD for
astronomical observations.

The quality of your written communication will be assessed in this question.

(Total 6 marks)

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 (a) The diagram shows the concave mirror of a Cassegrain reflecting telescope, together with
5 the eyepiece lens. Complete the diagram of the telescope and mark on it the focal point of
the concave mirror. Draw a ray diagram for two rays from a star, parallel to the principal
axis, passing through the telescope and emerging from the eyepiece lens

(4)

(b) State, with reasons, two optical advantages which the reflecting telescope normally has
over a refracting telescope.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

(a) Complete the ray diagram for an astronomical refracting telescope in normal adjustment.
6 Your diagram should show the paths of the three non-axial rays, through both lenses. Label
the positions of the principal foci of the two lenses.

(3)

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 (b) In 1656 Huygens made an astronomical telescope with an angular magnification of
approximately 100. The distance between the two lenses was approximately 3.5 m when in
normal adjustment.

(i) Estimate the focal length of the objective lens and the focal length of the eyepiece
lens used to make this telescope.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) Using this telescope, Huygens discovered Titan, a satellite of Saturn. At this angular
magnification, the image of Titan subtends an angle 4.0 × 10–3 radians when it is
approximately 1.3 × 109 km from the Earth. Calculate the diameter of Titan.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Most modern large optical telescopes use mirrors rather than lenses. State and explain two
optical advantages reflecting telescopes have compared with refracting telescopes.

advantage 1 ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

advantage 2 ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

The charged coupled device (CCD) camera is often used with telescopes because of its high
7 quantum efficiency.

(a) State what is meant by quantum efficiency and give a typical value for the quantum
efficiency of a CCD.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

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 (b) Describe the mode of action of a CCD.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 7 marks)

The last refracting telescope that could be called ‘the largest optical telescope in the world’
8 was one with an objective lens of diameter 0.90 m. It was superseded in 1889 by a reflecting
telescope with an objective mirror of diameter 1.52 m.

(a) Calculate

(i) the ratio

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii) the ratio .

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

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(b) Spherical aberration can be a problem with reflecting telescopes.

(i) Draw a ray diagram to show how spherical aberration arises in a reflecting telescope.

(ii) State how this problem can be prevented.

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) The image produced by a refracting telescope can be clearer than that of a similar diameter
reflector because of the position of the secondary mirror.

(i) Sketch a diagram to show the position of the mirrors in a Cassegrain telescope.

(ii) Give two reasons why the secondary mirror in the Cassegrain telescope affects the
clarity of the image.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

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Mark schemes
(a) curved dish (to collect radiation) (*)
1 reflected to a focus / image or receiver (*)
collect electromagnetic radiation (*)
(*) any two (1) (1)
2

(b) =0.4 m and λ2 = = 0.02m (1)

λ2 ≈ dimensions of holes and signal reduced (1)

lower frequency gives λ > dimensions of holes, signal not affected (1)
3

(c) λrad >> λop (1)

explanation (e.g. use of θ = ) of (res. power)radio < (res. power)opt (1)

2
[7]

(a) (i) Fo, Fe shown coincident (1)

2 objective and eyepiece correctly identified (1)

(ii) M= (=125) (1)

β = 6.2(5) × 10–3 rad (1)

4

(b) (i) convex mirror between objective and F1 (1)

(ii) two rays directed towards F1 (1)

rays cross after reflection (1)
emerge parallel from lens (1)
label F2 (1)
C shown correctly (1)
if plane or concave mirror shown, mark as scheme to max 2 / 6
6

(c) (i) (chromatic aberration -) different wavelengths (1)

refracted different amounts [or different speeds in glass] (1)
image with coloured edges [or different focus for different colours] (1)

(ii) no refraction (by mirrors) [or telescopes use mirrors or no chrom abber by mirr]
(1)
some chromatic aberration in eyepiece lens (1)
5
[15]

(a) power (received) proportional to area (1)

3
collecting area proportional to d2 (1)
(2)
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(b) energy per unit area at dish = (1)

total energy = × 4π(2.5 × 1028)2 (1)

= 5.2 × 1038 W (1)

(3)
[5]

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 The marking scheme for this part of the question includes an overall assessment for the Quality
4 of Written Communication (QWC). There are no discrete marks for the assessment of written
communication but the quality of written communication will be one of the criteria used to assign
the answer to one of three levels.

The candidate’s writing should be legible and the spelling, punctuation and grammar
should be sufficiently accurate for the meaning to be clear.
There are three areas:
Structure: silicon chip into pixels

The candidate’s answer will be assessed holistically. The answer will be assigned to one of three
levels according to the following criteria.
Function: photon incident, electron excited, electron trapped in
potential well, one electron per photon, no of electrons (and
therefore charge) proportional to number of incident photons, after
sufficient exposure charge on each pixel measured and image
produced
Advantage: most will say the QE>70%

High Level (Good to excellent): 5 or 6 marks

The information conveyed by the answer is clearly organised, logical and coherent, using
appropriate specialist vocabulary correctly. The form and style of writing is appropriate to answer
the question.
A 6 mark answer need not be “perfect” but should be substantially
complete, correct and free from major errors. One of the above
points may be missing. Eg charge integration

The candidate provides a comprehensive and logical description of the structure of the CCD. The
answer includes a clear description of how the light causes a release of charge and why the
charge is stored. The answer also includes an explanation of what is meant by quantum
efficiency and a correct value for the q.e. of a CCD.
Confusion with the photoelectric effect would reduce a 6 mark answer to 5.
5 marks may have 2 missing eg silicon chip and charge integration

Intermediate Level (Modest to adequate): 3 or 4 marks

The information conveyed by the answer may be less well organised and not fully coherent.
There is less use of specialist vocabulary, or specialist vocabulary may be used incorrectly. The
form and style of writing is less appropriate.
4 probably has more than 2 missing or no correct advantage

The candidate provides a comprehensive and logical description of the CCD. The answer
demonstrates some understanding of how the light is used to generate charge. The answer also
includes some reference the efficiency of the CCD or other advantage

Low Level (Poor to limited): 1 or 2 marks.

The information conveyed by the answer is poorly organised and may not be relevant or
coherent. There is little correct use of specialist vocabulary. The form and style of writing may be
only partly appropriate.

The candidate demonstrates an understanding that an image is formed on the CCD and that this
image is transferred to a computer.

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 Zero: Incorrect, inappropriate or no response.

Points that can be used to support the explanation:

• The CCD is a silicon chip

• The chip is divided into picture elements
• Each picture element is associated with a potential well in the silicon
• Incident photons are focused on the CCD
• The photons cause the release of electrons within the semiconductor
• The number of electrons liberated is proportional to the intensity of the light.
• Electrons are trapped in the potential wells
• An electron pattern is built up which is identical to the image formed on the CCD
• When exposure is complete the charge is processed to form an image.

Advantages:
High quantum efficiency > 70%
Light integration – using long exposure times to capture faint images.
Device can be directly linked to computer for capture and analysis.
6
[6]

(a) reflected rays off concave mirror towards marked F (1)

5 correct convex mirror and rays reflected (1)
rays cross, and pass through hole (1)
emerge from eye lens parallel (1)
4

(b)

2
[6]

(a) diagram to show:

6
both focal points coinciding and labelled, with fo > fe (1)
centre ray straight through objective, rays crossing at
focal plane and proceeding to eyepiece (1)
rays refracted at eyepiece and emerge parallel to
construction line (1)
3

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 (b) (i) (fo + fe = 3.5, and fo / fe = 100) estimate fo ≈ 3.5 m and fe ≈ 0.035 m (1)

(ii) (use of M = gives) α = = 4.0 × 10-5 (rad) (1)

(use of α = gives) D = 4.0 × 10-5 × 1.3 × 109 = 5.2 × 104 km (1)

(allow C.E. for value of α)

3

(c) no chromatic aberration - mirrors do not refract light (1)

no spherical aberration - use of parabolic mirror (1)
no distortion - mirror can be supported more strongly (1)
better resolving power or greater brightness - mirrors can be larger (1)
more light gets through (image brighter) - lens absorbs more light (1)
(any two)
2
[8]

(a) ratio of the number of photons falling on a device that produce a signal
7 to the total number of photons falling on the device (1)
> 70% (for CCD) (1)
2

(b) silicon chip (1)

divided into picture elements (pixels) (1)
(light) photons incident (1)
electrons released (1)
charge or number released proportional / related to beam
intensity / brightness (1)
image produced identical to electron pattern (1)
when exposure complete, charge processed to give image (1)
max 5
[7]

8 (a) (i) (use of θ = λ gives) (1)

(1)

(ii) use of, energy collected per sec = area = d2 (1)

(1)

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(b) (i) correct diagram showing four parallel co-axial rays, with outer rays
brought to focus at a point closer to mirror than inner rays (1)

(ii) (use of) parabolic mirror (1)

2

(c) (i) correct diagram showing two mirrors, one concave, one convex (1)

(ii) mirror blocks light so less light hits objective mirror (1)
light diffracted passing secondary mirror affects image (1)
3
[8]

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Examiner reports
Responses to part (a) were generally very good, with candidates being familiar with the basic
1 design and usage of both types of telescope.

In part (b) the effect of the holes in the mesh of the telescope dish was appreciated by almost all
candidates but it was only the most able who produced a coherent argument about the
respective effects of the two signals. A large number of candidates did not recognise that giving
quantitative data in the question begs for a response which makes use of that data; too many
tried to answer without calculating the wavelengths corresponding to the two given frequencies.
Many candidates tackled the problem by calculating the minimum size of mesh necessary for a
given frequency and then comparing the value obtained with the given mesh size. This approach
usually ended in complete confusion.

In part (c) the majority of candidates used the relation θ = λ / D, together with their knowledge of
the two wavelengths, to give the correct explanation. However, a significant number of
candidates became involved with the effect of the dish diameter, D, and ignored completely the
effect of the wavelength. A matter for concern was the appearance this year, and from more than
one centre, of candidates confusing lens power, P = 1 / f, with resolving power!

Part (a) was well answered and many candidates scored full marks. The large majority of
2 candidates drew a ray diagram for part (a)(i), which was not required by the question. Common
errors included confusion between focal point and focal length (almost universal) and a failure to
identify which lens was which. A few candidates drew perfectly good ray diagrams, but diagrams
which had no lens labels and no identifying values to identify the diagram with the question set.

Parts (b) and (c) produced answers of a wide-ranging quality. There were some very good
answers with very clear ray diagrams and statement of facts about chromatic aberration. Even in
these answers, hardly any candidate correctly stated (or showed) the correct position for the
centre of curvature and its position was variously shown anywhere from the lens to the right hand
side of the page. Among weaker answers, the most common error was to show M as a concave
mirror. Many diagrams were correct in other respects but incurred a substantial penalty for a
major physics error. Other diagrams failed to show the rays reflected from the objective
converging towards its focal point.

In part (c)(i), the meaning of chromatic aberration was well-known but relatively few candidates
gave a complete answer to the question. Many candidates stopped short of stating the effect of
the aberration on the image. In answer to part (c)(ii), a few candidates confused chromatic
aberration and spherical aberration, stating that paraboloidal mirrors do not suffer from chromatic
aberration (which is true but irrelevant to this question). Many candidates gave seemingly correct
answers by inference. For example, a number of candidates stated that “the telescope does not
suffer from much chromatic aberration because it uses mainly mirrors”. Unless further qualified,
this leaves rather too much for the examiner to infer.

Answers to part (a) polarised the candidates into two groups: those who could deduce the
3 relationship. and those who had no idea as what to do. it was disappointing to see so many
candidates use Stefan’s law, P = σAT4, as the basis of their deduction not realising that this
referred to power emitted rather than power received.

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 The examiners were very pleased to read a considerable number of correct and well presented
answers to part (b). On the other hand, many candidates did not even attempt the question.
Between these two extremes were the candidates who produced a mass of numbers with the
correct answer at the end, with no explanation. Such answers were penalised because it states
clearly in the rubric of the paper that ‘the principles involved must be stated’. Other candidates
became confused between the d (diameter) in part (a) and the distance quoted in part (b) and
tried to find a solution starting with P α d (distance).

This question assessed the student’s quality of written communication. Many answers included
4 all the relevant points detailed in the specification and correctly described the quantum efficiency.
Some showed a poorer understanding by referring to the photoelectric effect as the process by
which the electrons are excited or by unclear descriptions of the pixels and potential wells.

The ray diagram for the Cassegrain telescope was usually drawn well, although a concave
5 secondary mirror was seen with some regularity. Very few plane secondary mirrors were
presented. The optical advantages of a reflecting telescope were well-known, except that marks
were lost by not giving a supporting reason, e.g. stating that there was no chromatic aberration
was insufficient to gain full credit unless a reason for the lack of aberration was given.

Part (a) was considered to be a fairly straightforward exercise but it was not answered as well as
6 had been hoped for. Common errors included: failing to label the focal points, or labelling the
point where the top ray crossed the principal axis as a focal point. Also, although many
candidates did not draw a construction ray, the better answers showed clearly the rays emerging
from the eyepiece parallel to an imaginary construction ray. Several candidates drew the bottom
ray parallel to the principal axis as though it had passed through the focal point of the objective.
This method of drawing the diagram was not penalised provided the central ray appeared to go
straight through the objective lens.

Many candidates in part (b) were aware of the relationships between the two focal lengths and
could derive the correct answer, but very few realised that the length of the telescope could be
approximated to the focal length of the objective. In part (ii) many candidates correctly calculated
the diameter for Titan based on the given data but a few candidates included the magnification of
the telescope in their calculation. Use of trigonometric functions meant that some candidates
confused radians and degrees.

Confusion arose in part (c) between optical advantage and the explanation. For example, a large
diameter was not accepted as an advantage, although it was accepted as the explanation for
better resolution or brighter images. Answers to do with the heating of the atmosphere were not
accepted.

This question was well answered by the majority of candidates who had clearly been taught the
7 CCD in great detail. Weaker answers implied that quantum efficiency is based on the output of
the object, rather than being equal to the ratio of number of photons which produce a signal to
the number of photons incident on the device. The action of a CCD was best described by
candidates who followed the process in logical steps from the incident photons to the production
of the image on the screen.

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 This question was generally answered very well with many candidates scoring high marks. It
8 would be worth emphasising to candidates, that when answering a question such as that in part
(a), they need to show all their working in order to gain full credit. If a ratio is required, little credit
is available for simply dividing the two numbers provided in the question.

In part (a) (i) there was a problem with resolving power. Candidates were often unsure as to
whether the answer required the minimum angle that could be resolved, or the inverse of this
angle. Provided candidates showed what they were doing, either approach was acceptable.
Simply dividing the two diameters without any explanation gained no credit. It was common for
candidates to apparently confuse the diameters, mixing up the reflector and refractor. Another
common error occurred when the

equation was used, substituting the speed of light for the wavelength. In part (ii)
recognising the amount d of light energy per second should be more recognisable than it was to
the candidates. Most appeared to realise that this depended on the area and therefore the
square of the diameter and obtained the correct answer. Less able candidates simply divided the
diameters again, as in part (i).

To show, in part (b) (ii), how spherical aberration arises, at least four rays should be drawn
parallel to the principal axis of the mirror. Those further from the axis should be brought to a
focus closer to the mirror than those closer to the axis. There was some confusion, with the focus
being interchanged for these rays. Several candidates also showed chromatic aberration. The
most simple answer to part (b) (ii) was ‘use a parabolic mirror’.

In part (c) (i) the diagram was expected to show a large concave primary mirror, with a hole on
the axis, and a convex secondary mirror in front of this hole. Commonly the secondary mirror
was drawn as a lens, or a concave mirror, or the primary mirror appeared as two mirrors rather
than one continuous mirror, with a gap. A useful way of drawing this correctly is to see it as two
concentric arcs, one much smaller than the other. Few candidates picked up both marks for part
(c) (ii). The context of the question stated that the secondary mirror made the image less clear
than a similar diameter refractor. Good candidates stated that diffraction occurs as light passes
the secondary mirror and that some of the light is blocked. Other responses suggested that the
secondary mirror caused some spherical aberration or absorbed some of the light. Some
candidates demonstrated a lack of understanding by suggesting that the centre of the image
would be missing.

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