CAIE IGCSE Physics 6. Space physics Question Bank

Practise space physics through Solar System data, orbit descriptions, light-speed calculations and evidence for stars and galaxies.

Covered syllabus points

6.1.1 The Earth 6.1.2 The Solar System 6.2.1 The Sun as a star 6.2.2 Stars 6.2.3 The Universe

[Maximum number: 7]

(a)

The Solar System includes the Sun and planets.
State two other types of natural object that orbit the Sun.
1
2

[ 2 ]

(b)

State the shape of the orbits of the planets.

[ 1 ]

(c)

Fig. 10.1 shows the orbit of an object around the Sun. At point A, the object is closest to the Sun. At point B, the object is furthest away from the Sun.

Fig. 10.1

State and explain the energy transfer as the object travels from point A to point B.
statement
explanation

[ 2 ]

(d)

Jupiter is $7.8 \times 10^{11} \mathrm{~m}$ from the Sun. The speed of light in a vacuum is $3.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}$ .

Calculate the time taken for light from the Sun to reach Jupiter.
time =

[ 2 ]

$2.6 \times 10^{3} \mathrm{~s}$

A2

$v=s / t \mathbf{O R}(t=) s / v \mathbf{O R} 7.8 \times 10^{11} / 3.0 \times 10^{8}$

C1

[Maximum number: 4]

(a)

The Sun is a medium-sized star powered by nuclear fusion reactions which release energy.

[ 2 ]

(i)

State two regions of the electromagnetic spectrum by which the Sun radiates most of its energy.

[ 2 ]

(b)

Describe what happens to a star when most of the fuel in its centre has been converted to helium.

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 8]

The Milky Way is the galaxy in which the Solar System is located.

(a)

State what a galaxy is.

[ 1 ]

(b)

The Milky Way has a diameter that is approximately equal to 100000 light-years.

Determine this distance in kilometres (km).

[ 2 ]

$9.5 \times 10^{17}(\mathrm{~km})$

A2

(1 light-year =) $9.5 \times 10^{15}(\mathrm{~m})$ OR (1 light-year =) $3 \times 10^{8} \times 365 \times 24 \times 3600$

C1

(c)

Astronomers determine the speed and distance from the Earth of a far galaxy that is moving away from the Earth.

[ 5 ]

(i)

State one observation that allows the speed at which a galaxy is moving away to be determined.

[ 1 ]

(ii)

State one different observation that is used to determine the distance to a far galaxy.

[ 1 ]

(iii)

State how the speeds of galaxies and their distances from the Earth are related.

[ 1 ]

(their) speeds are (directly) proportional to distances (from Earth) OR $H_{0}=v / d$

B1

(iv)

The best estimate for the Hubble constant $H_{0}$ is $2.2 \times 10^{-18}$ per second.

Use this value to calculate an estimate for the age of the Universe.
> age of the Universe = s [2]
[Total: 8]

[ 2 ]

$4.5 \times 10^{17}(\mathrm{~s})$

A2

(age of Universe =) $1 / H_{0}$ OR $1 /\left(2.2 \times 10^{-18}\right)$

C1

[Maximum number: 1]

What is the approximate diameter of the Milky Way?

100000 kilometres

1000000 kilometres

100000 light-years

1000000 light-years

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

6. Space physics question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question (d)

6. Space physics question 2

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (b)

6. Space physics question 3

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

Question (iv)

6. Space physics question 4