Workshee 6 Space Grade

t Physics XI
Practice Questions (from text book)

Table of Data for Planets in our Solar System

1 From the data given in Table calculate

a the circumference of the orbit of the planet Mars about the Sun

b the speed of Mars in its orbit.

2 From the data given in Table state

a the surface gravity on Jupiter
b the weight of an object of mass 50 kg on the surface of Jupiter.

3 Would you expect the orbital speed of Jupiter to be greater or less than that of Saturn? Explain your
answer.

4 The Sun exerts a large gravitational force on matter.

State whether the following statements are true or false.
A The Sun’s gravitational attraction keeps the planets in orbit around it.
B The force of gravity keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth.
C The Sun contains most of the mass of the Solar System.

5 The Universe is composed of stars and galaxies. Which of the following statements are not true?
A The Universe is a collection of galaxies.
B There are billions of stars in a galaxy.
C The Sun is a star.
D Our Solar System belongs to the Andromeda galaxy.

6 How long does it take light to reach the Earth from a galaxy 10 million light-years distant from the
Earth? Choose your answer from the following options.
A 10 years B 30 years C 300 thousand years D 10 million years.

7 When a low mass red giant has consumed most of the helium in its core it may turn into a:
A yellow dwarf B white dwarf C supernova D neutron star.

8 When a high mass red giant has consumed most of the helium in its core it may become a:
A white dwarf B yellow dwarf C planetary nebula D neutron star.

9 a) Explain what is meant by the redshift of starlight. [3]

b) Explain what the redshift of starlight tells us about the motion of distant galaxies. [2]

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
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10 State which of the following provides evidence in support of the Big Bang theory.
A Gravitational attraction
B Supernova explosions
C Redshift of starlight from distant galaxies
D Fusion of hydrogen into helium

11 a) Describe how a stable star is formed and how it is powered. [5]

b) Explain when a stable star turns into a red giant. [2]

13 a) State the forces, and give their direction, which are balanced when a star is in a stable state. [4]

b) State the sequence of stages in the life cycle of a star like the Sun. [5]

Paper 1 example questions

1 The orbit around the Sun of a comet is not circular. The distance between the Sun and the comet
varies, as shown in the diagram.
Where, in the orbit, is the speed of the comet the
greatest and where is it the smallest?

2 The orbit around the Sun of a particular asteroid (dwarf planet) is not circular. The distance between the
Sun and the asteroid varies, as shown in the diagram.
The asteroid possesses both gravitational potential energy (GPE) and kinetic energy (KE).
Which energy transfer takes place as the asteroid moves from X to Y and as it moves from Y to Z?

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
t Physics XI
3 Ceres and Vesta are two asteroids (dwarf planets) that orbit the Sun. The orbits of Ceres and Vesta
are approximately circular.
The Sun’s gravitational field at the orbit
of Ceres is weaker than that at the orbit
of Vesta.
How does the orbital speed of Ceres and
its orbital period compare with the orbital
speed and orbital period of Vesta?

4 The Sun emits energy in the form of

electromagnetic radiation.
Which three components of the electromagnetic spectrum account for almost all of this energy?
A infrared, microwave and ultraviolet
B infrared, microwave and visible light
C infrared, ultraviolet and visible light
D microwave, ultraviolet and visible light

5 When, in the life cycle of a star, are heavy elements produced?

A when a cloud containing hydrogen collapses
B when a protostar becomes stable
C when a red supergiant explodes
D when a white dwarf is formed

6 The statements J, K, L and M describe different stages in the life cycle of a small star.
J A cloud containing hydrogen collapses due to gravitational attraction.
K A red giant is produced.
L A white dwarf is produced.
M Hydrogen undergoes nuclear fusion to produce helium.

What is the order (first to last) in which the stages occur?

A J, M, K, L B J, M, L, K C M, J, K, L D M, J, L, K
7 What provides evidence for the Big Bang Theory?
A the expulsion of heavy elements into space during a supernova explosion
B the increase in the observed wavelength of radiation emitted by distant galaxies
C the nuclear fusion reaction that takes place at the centre of stable stars
D the smaller orbital speeds of the planets that are further from the Sun

Paper 2 example questions

1 The Solar System contains the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids and comets.
(a) State the name of the planet closest to the Sun. ………………………………… [1]
(b) Describe the difference between a planet and a moon.
....................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) State two differences between an asteroid and a comet.

1 .................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

2 .................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................... [2]

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
t Physics XI
(d) The planet closest to the Sun orbits the Sun in 88 days.
State two reasons why the Earth takes longer to orbit the Sun than this planet.

1 .................................................................................................................................................
2 ................................................................................................................................................. [2]

(e) (i) State the time taken for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth .................................................. [1]
(ii) Using your answer to (e)(i), calculate the distance from the Sun to the Earth.
Show your working.

distance = .......................... m [2]

2 (a) A year, a month and a day can be defined in terms of the motions of the Earth, the Moon and the
Sun. Using these motions, complete the following sentences.

(i) A year is the time for................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) A month is the time for............................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) A day is the time for ..................................................................................................................[1]

(b) Earth, Jupiter and Saturn are three planets in the Solar System.
Table gives information about these planets.
Using data from Table, calculate the average
radius of Saturn’s orbit around the Sun.
Give your answer in km.

radius = ......................... km [3]

(c) Fig. 2.1 shows one alignment with the Sun of Earth, Jupiter and Saturn.

Fig. 2.1
(i) In Fig. 2.1, the three planets and the Sun are in line.
29 years later, Saturn returns to the same position relative to the Sun, but Earth and Jupiter are not in
the same line. Use data from Table to explain why.

...........................................................................................................................................................

. ........................................................................................................................................................ [2]

(ii) Complete Fig. 2.2 to show the positions of the three planets exactly 6 years after the diagram in Fig.
2.1.

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
t Physics XI

Fig 2.2

3 Table lists some of the planets in the Solar System and their average distances from the Sun.
(a) Complete Table by writing in the names of the missing planets. [2]
(b) As the planets move around the Sun, the
distance between Earth and Jupiter changes.
Use Table to calculate the smallest distance
and the largest distance between Earth and
Jupiter.

smallest distance = ...............................

largest distance =....................................... [2]

(c) A planet is in orbit around a distant star.

As it passes in front of the star, it blocks some
of the light of the star from reaching Earth, reducing the brightness of the star as seen from Earth.
Fig. 3.1 shows the view, from Earth, as the planet passes in front of the star.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2 shows an incomplete graph of how the brightness of the star varies with time, as seen from
Earth. The planet is in front of the star from time t1 to time t2.

Fig. 3.2
(i) Complete Fig. 3.2 to show how the brightness of the star varies with time. [2]
(ii) Describe how the completed Fig. 3.2 should be changed to show a larger planet passing at the same
distance in front of the same star.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
t Physics XI
(iii) Suggest how an astronomer uses the changes in the brightness of the star to measure the orbital
period of the planet round the star.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [1]

4 When astronomers look at distant galaxies, they find that the frequency of the light from the galaxy is
shifted towards the red end of the spectrum.
(a) (i) Apart from visible light, state two types of electromagnetic wave that contain most of the energy
emitted by a stable star.

........................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Describe what is meant by the red end of the spectrum.

........................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) The speed of recession of a galaxy is the speed at which the galaxy is moving away from Earth.
Astronomers use redshift to measure the speed of recession.
Astronomers can also measure the distance d of the galaxy from Earth. Such large distances are
measured in light-years.
Astronomers can estimate the time T that the galaxy has been
moving away from Earth using the equation
Table shows their estimates for four different galaxies.

(i) State what is meant by a galaxy.

......................................................

......................................................
[2]
(ii) Show that 1.0 light-year is equal to
9.5 × 1015 m [3]

(iii) Describe the relationship between the speed of recession of a galaxy and its distance from Earth.

........................................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iv) Explain how the values of T provide evidence for the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the Universe.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]

5 (a) The Sun produces energy from nuclei of hydrogen. Hydrogen nuclei are positively charged.
(i) Describe the process that produces this energy.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Explain why this process needs a high temperature to occur.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
t Physics XI
(b) (i) Some stars are initially much more massive than the Sun.
Describe the life cycle of such a star, after it has passed through the stage of being a protostar.

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [4]
(ii) Although the early Universe contained only light elements such as hydrogen, it now contains a
number of very heavy elements. State in which part of the life cycle of a star these very heavy
elements are formed
………………………………........................................................................................................... [1]

Specimen Paper Questions - Paper 1

1 Light from the Sun travels to the Earth at a speed of 3.0 × 108 m / s. The time for the complete journey
is 500 s. What is the average orbital speed of the Earth in its orbit around the Sun?
A 60 m / s B 4.8 × 103 m / s C 3.0 × 104 m / s D 1.8 × 108 m / s

2 The light emitted from a galaxy is redshifted when detected on Earth.

How does the frequency of the light when detected on Earth compare with its frequency when emitted
and in what direction is the galaxy moving?

3 Which type of object orbits the Sun?

A an interstellar cloud of gas and dust B a comet C a galaxy D another star

4 Which statement describes redshift?

A All the light emitted from all distant galaxies is at the red end of the spectrum.
B All the light emitted by a star in the Milky Way is at the red end of the spectrum.
C The light from all the stars in the Milky Way is moved towards the red end of the spectrum.
D The light from stars in all distant galaxies is moved towards the red end of the spectrum.

5 The orbit of the Moon around the Earth is modelled as a circular path of radius 3.8 × 105 km.
The orbital period is 29.5 days (710 hours). What is the orbital speed of the Moon?
A 5.4×102 km / h B 1.1×103 km / h C 1.7×103 km / h D 3.4×103 km / h

6 Which statement does not describe redshift?

A All the light emitted from all distant galaxies is at the red end of the spectrum.
B The light arriving at the Earth from a receding star is always redshifted.
C During redshift, the wavelength of the observed light is longer than it is if the redshift had not occurred.
D The light from stars in all distant galaxies is moved towards the red end of the spectrum.

Specimen Paper Questions - Paper 2

1 The Sun is a star in a stable part of its life cycle.
(a) Using ideas about forces, explain how the Sun remains stable in this part of its life cycle.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]

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Workshee 6 Space Grade
t Physics XI
(b) Describe what happens to stars of similar mass to the Sun at the end of the stable part of their life
cycle.

.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................... [3]
(c) The orbital speed of Earth around the Sun is 30 km / s. Use this value to calculate the distance of
Earth from the Sun. Show your working. State the unit of your answer.

distance = .................... unit =............ [3]

(d) The light emitted by distant galaxies show various amounts of redshift.
(i) State the name of the galaxy that contains our Sun. ................................................................... [1]
(ii) State what is meant by redshift and describe how it is caused.

.........................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) An astronomer compares the spectrum of light emitted by the Sun with the spectrum of light emitted
by distant galaxies P and Q. Fig. shows the same four lines as observed in all three spectrums.

State what Fig. enables the astronomer to deduce about galaxy P and galaxy Q.
Explain the astronomer’s reasons in your answer.

.........................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................... [3]
2 (a) The Sun is our nearest star.
(i) State the three main forms of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. [2]

(ii) State the two main elements that are found in the Sun. [1]
(b) State and explain what can be deduced from the ‘redshift’ observed by astronomers in the light from
all distant galaxies. [3]

3 (a) Describe and explain how a stable star is formed. [3]

(b) Describe and explain what can be deduced from cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR).[3]

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