Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Motion in the Universe
55 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
21–30 of 55
Question 21
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A planet and an artificial satellite are shown below.
Planet and satellite orbit. (a)[1 mark]Draw an arrow on the diagram to show the direction of the force acting on the satellite.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why this force is always directed towards the planet.
Question 22
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Describe two differences between the orbit of a comet and the orbit of a planet.
Question 23
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →How long does it take the Moon to orbit the Earth once? Give your answer in days.
Question 24
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The planet Jupiter has many moons orbiting it. One of these moons, Europa, follows a nearly circular orbit due to the gravitational attraction from Jupiter.
(a)[1 mark]State what provides the force needed to keep Europa moving in its orbit around Jupiter.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why Europa does not fly off into space.
Question 25
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the average distance of two moons from Saturn and the time each takes to orbit Saturn once:
Moons of Saturn Moon Average distance from Saturn (km) Orbital period (days) Mimas 186,000 0.94 Titan 1,221,900 15.95 Question 26
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Saturn has many moons, all held in orbit by gravity. State two factors on which the size of the gravitational force between Saturn and one of its moons depends.
Question 27
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The planet Neptune is much farther from the Sun than Earth.
(a)[1 mark]State how the gravitational force between Neptune and the Sun compares with that between the Earth and the Sun.
(b)[3 marks]Explain how this difference in gravitational force affects Neptune’s orbit compared to Earth’s.
Question 28
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of the following is NOT an artificial satellite?
- A.A weather satellite orbiting the Earth
- B.The Moon orbiting the Earth
- C.The International Space Station
- D.A communications satellite orbiting Mars
Question 29
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A comet has an orbit that is much more elongated (stretched out) than the nearly circular orbit of a planet around the Sun.
Question 30
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Below is a simple diagram showing a planet and its moon.
Planet and Moon (a)[1 mark]On the diagram, draw an arrow to show the direction of the gravitational force acting on the moon.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why this force does not pull the moon directly into the planet.