CAIE IGCSE Physics Earth Moon and Orbits Questions
Practise Earth and Moon orbital periods, seasonal and lunar-phase diagrams and average orbital-speed calculations using circumference, radius and period.
- Syllabus
- 2026–2028
- Course
- Physics 0625
Exam points
- use Earth's axial tilt and its position in orbit to identify seasons in a hemisphere
- identify lunar phases and recall that the Moon orbits Earth in approximately one month
- apply v = 2πr/T with consistent distance and time units to planetary or satellite orbits
Covered syllabus points
6.1.1 The Earth question 1
Fig. 10.1 shows the path of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. X is a position on the Earth where scientists observe the apparent motion of the Sun throughout the year.
Fig. 10.1
Question (a)
(a)
Determine how many days it takes the Earth to move around its orbit from F to G . Explain your answer.
number of days =
explanation
[ 2 ]
Question (b)
(b)
Fig. 10.1 shows four positions E, F, G and H of the Earth in its orbit of the Sun.
[ 2 ]
Question (i)
(i)
Identify the position of the Earth when it is summer at X .
[ 1 ]
Question (ii)
(ii)
Identify the position of the Earth when it is winter at X .
[ 1 ]
Question (c)
(c)
The orbital speed of the Earth around the Sun is approximately .
Calculate the average radius of the Earth's orbit.
radius =
[ 3 ]
6.1.1 The Earth question 2
Which statement is correct?
A
The Earth orbits the Sun once in approximately 24 hours.
B
The Earth orbits the Moon once in approximately 1 week.
C
The Moon orbits the Earth once in approximately 1 month.
D
The Sun orbits the Earth once in approximately 365 days.
6.1.1 The Earth question 3
Table 9.1 shows data about planets in our solar system.
Table 9.1
The orbit of Venus is approximately circular.
Calculate the average orbital speed v of Venus. Give your answer in km / h.
orbital speed = km/h [3]
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