Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Astrophysics
156 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
21–30 of 78 · Normal
Question 21
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 22
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 23
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.
Question 24
1 mark · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Name the type of satellite that the Moon is.
Question 25
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State two factors that determine the gravitational field strength at the surface of a planet.
Question 26
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A satellite orbits Earth at a radius of 7000 km. It completes one orbit every 5800 seconds. Calculate the orbital speed of the satellite. Give your answer to two significant figures.
Question 27
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which planet has a lower gravitational field strength than Earth?
Planet Gravitational field strength (N/kg) Earth 10 Mars 4 Neptune 11 Jupiter 23 - A.Earth
- B.Mars
- C.Neptune
- D.Jupiter
Question 28
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student says "If a satellite is closer to Earth, it must travel faster in its orbit."
(a)[2 marks]Explain in terms of gravitational field strength why this statement is true.
(b)[1 mark]State the equation used to calculate the orbital speed of a satellite.
(c)[1 mark]Describe one use for low Earth orbit satellites.
Question 29
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why your weight on Jupiter would be different from your weight on the Moon.
Question 30
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Geostationary satellites have a much larger orbital radius than low orbit satellites. State and explain how the orbital speed of a geostationary satellite compares to that of a low orbit satellite.