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Surname
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Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
AQA A-level Physics Paper 3 Section B Astrophysics
(7408/3BA) 2026
Time allowed: The total time for
both sections of this paper is
Materials
2 hours. You are advised to
For this paper you must have:
• a pencil and a ruler spend approximately
• a scientific calculator 50 minutes on this section.
• a Data and Formulae Booklet
• a protractor.
Instructions For Examiner’s Use
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Question Mark
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
• Answer all questions. 1
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write 2
outside the box around each page or on blank pages. 3
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
4
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want 5
to be marked. TOTAL
• Show all your working.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 35.
• You are expected to use a scientific calculator where appropriate.
• A Data and Formulae Booklet is provided as a loose insert.
*JUN2574083BA01*
7408/3BA
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section B box
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 HIP 56948 is a star with a black-body temperature of 5800 K. The star is at a
distance of 210 ly from the Sun.
0 1 . 1 Sketch, on Figure 1, the black-body curve for HIP 56948.
Label the wavelength axis with a suitable scale and unit.
[3 marks]
Figure 1
0 1 . 2 The diameter of HIP 56948 is the same as the diameter of the Sun.
Suggest a value for the absolute magnitude of HIP 56948.
[1 mark]
absolute magnitude =
0 1 . 3 Astronomers study HIP 56948 in their search for Earth-like exoplanets because
HIP 56948 is similar to the Sun.
Suggest one difficulty in detecting an Earth-like planet around HIP 56948.
[1 mark]
5
*02*
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 . 1 Draw a ray diagram for an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment. box
Include in your diagram:
• three non-axial rays
• labelled principal foci for the lenses.
[2 marks]
Question 2 continues on the next page
Turn over ►
*03*
Centre number Candidate number
Surname
Forename(s)
Candidate signature
I declare this is my own work.
A-level
PHYSICS
AQA A-level Physics Paper 3 Section B Astrophysics
(7408/3BA) 2026
Time allowed: The total time for
both sections of this paper is
Materials
2 hours. You are advised to
For this paper you must have:
• a pencil and a ruler spend approximately
• a scientific calculator 50 minutes on this section.
• a Data and Formulae Booklet
• a protractor.
Instructions For Examiner’s Use
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Question Mark
• Fill in the boxes at the top of this page.
• Answer all questions. 1
• You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write 2
outside the box around each page or on blank pages. 3
• If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of
4
this book. Write the question number against your answer(s).
• Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want 5
to be marked. TOTAL
• Show all your working.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 35.
• You are expected to use a scientific calculator where appropriate.
• A Data and Formulae Booklet is provided as a loose insert.
*JUN2574083BA01*
7408/3BA
, 2
Do not write
outside the
Section B box
Answer all questions in this section.
0 1 HIP 56948 is a star with a black-body temperature of 5800 K. The star is at a
distance of 210 ly from the Sun.
0 1 . 1 Sketch, on Figure 1, the black-body curve for HIP 56948.
Label the wavelength axis with a suitable scale and unit.
[3 marks]
Figure 1
0 1 . 2 The diameter of HIP 56948 is the same as the diameter of the Sun.
Suggest a value for the absolute magnitude of HIP 56948.
[1 mark]
absolute magnitude =
0 1 . 3 Astronomers study HIP 56948 in their search for Earth-like exoplanets because
HIP 56948 is similar to the Sun.
Suggest one difficulty in detecting an Earth-like planet around HIP 56948.
[1 mark]
5
*02*
, 3
Do not write
outside the
0 2 . 1 Draw a ray diagram for an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment. box
Include in your diagram:
• three non-axial rays
• labelled principal foci for the lenses.
[2 marks]
Question 2 continues on the next page
Turn over ►
*03*
