Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Astrophysics
156 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
31–40 of 78 · Easy
Question 31
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The following table shows orbital radii and periods for two satellites orbiting the same planet.
Satellite data Satellite Orbital radius (1000 km) Period (h) X 15 7 Y 30 28 (a)[1 mark]Which satellite orbits closer to the planet? Support your answer using data from the table.
(b)[1 mark]Explain which satellite has the greater orbital speed.
Question 32
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The planet Venus and a space probe orbiting Earth both move in nearly circular orbits because of gravity.
(a)[1 mark]Name the force responsible for keeping Venus and the space probe in orbit.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why Venus moves faster in its orbit than Neptune does.
(c)[1 mark]State one difference between the orbit of the space probe and the orbit of a comet around the Sun.
Question 33
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A satellite is placed in orbit at a height where the gravitational field strength is much smaller than on Earth’s surface.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why the satellite stays in orbit instead of falling straight towards the Earth.
(b)[2 marks]Calculate the orbital speed of the satellite if it travels along a circular path of radius m and completes one orbit in 24 hours. Give your answer in to two significant figures.
Question 34
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the gravitational field strength on the surface of different planets:
Planet Gravitational field strength (N/kg) Earth 10 Mars 4 Jupiter 23 Venus 9 (a)[1 mark]Which planet has the strongest gravitational field strength?
(b)[2 marks]A 60 kg object is placed on Mars. Calculate its weight on the surface of Mars.
(c)[1 mark]Explain why the weight of an object on Jupiter is more than that on Earth.
Question 35
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Halley's Comet has an orbit that brings it close to the Sun, then takes it far out into the solar system. Meanwhile, Earth’s Moon orbits Earth at nearly constant speed.
(a)[2 marks]Describe the main difference in the orbit of a comet compared with that of a moon.
(b)[1 mark]State what happens to the speed of the comet as it moves closer to the Sun.
(c)[1 mark]Explain your answer to part b using ideas about forces in the solar system.
Question 36
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the name of the galaxy in which our Solar System is located.
Question 37
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following star classes is the hottest according to the classification system?
- A.O
- B.A
- C.G
- D.M
Question 38
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Describe the overall shape of the Milky Way galaxy and state where the Sun is positioned within it.
Question 39
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A blacksmith heats a piece of iron in the forge. Explain how the colour of the iron relates to its temperature. How does this relationship also apply to stars?
Question 40
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Table: Star colour and temperature Star Surface temperature (K) Apparent colour X 6500 yellow Y 4000 red Z 32000 blue Which star in the table is classified as type O and which as type M? Explain your choices.