# A student looks at a star through a converging lens and notices that the star appears as a point of light. Explain how the colour of a star can be used to determine its surface temperature, and describe how the colour of a star changes as its surface temperature increases.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 2.1 Light, lenses and the universe · Explain · 4 marks

> Stars emit light across a range of colours. The colour of a star depends on its surface temperature.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The colour of a star is related to / indicates its surface temperature
2. Cooler stars appear red (or orange)
3. As surface temperature increases, stars appear to change colour from red towards white / yellow / blue
4. The hottest stars appear blue (or blue-white)

## Key terms

- [surface temperature](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/surface-temperature)
- [colour](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/colour)
- [converging lens](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/converging-lens)
- [star](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/star)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-looks-at-a-star-369a0fb7) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.