Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
The solar system
15 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 15
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →What is the correct unit for measuring the mass of a planet?
- A.kilogram (kg)
- B.metre (m)
- C.second (s)
- D.newton (N)
Question 2
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Name the force responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the Sun. State its unit.
Question 3
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the name of our galaxy.
Question 4
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below shows a simplified arrangement of part of the solar system.
(a)[1 mark]Solar system diagram with star and two objects labelled. A is a planet. B is a moon. Which object, A or B, orbits the Sun directly?
(b)[1 mark]State the object that B (the moon) orbits directly.
(c)[1 mark]What is the name given to the path followed by a planet around the Sun?
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the unit used to measure the time it takes for a planet to orbit the Sun once.
Question 6
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Objects in the solar system have different types of motion.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by a 'satellite' in the context of the solar system.
(b)[1 mark]Give one example of a natural satellite found within our solar system.
(c)[1 mark]State whether an asteroid is a satellite or not. Explain your answer.
Question 7
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which list correctly describes structures from smallest to largest?
- A.Moon, planet, star, galaxy
- B.Planet, moon, galaxy, star
- C.Star, moon, planet, galaxy
- D.Galaxy, planet, star, moon
Question 8
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below shows a simplified view of the solar system.
(a)[1 mark]Name the star at the center of our solar system.
(b)[1 mark]Give the number of planets that orbit the Sun in our solar system.
(c)[2 marks]State what the word 'orbit' means in the context of the solar system.
Question 9
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of the following lists objects in increasing order of size (smallest to largest)?
- A.Moon, Planet, Star, Galaxy
- B.Planet, Moon, Star, Galaxy
- C.Star, Planet, Galaxy, Moon
- D.Galaxy, Star, Planet, Moon
Question 10
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The universe contains many structures.
Answer the following questions about these structures.
(a)[2 marks]State what a galaxy is.
(b)[2 marks]Name the galaxy in which our solar system is found.