18

10 Pluto is a dwarf planet. Fig. 10.1 shows the direction of motion of Pluto as it follows its elliptical
orbit around the Sun.

Pluto

X Sun

orbit
direction
of motion

Fig. 10.1 (not to scale)

(a) Point X is the point in the orbit closest to the Sun and point Y is the point furthest away.

The orbital speed of Pluto varies as it orbits the Sun.

(i) Describe how the speed of Pluto varies as it moves from X to Y and then back to X.

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

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

(ii) Explain, in terms of energy transfers, why the speed of Pluto varies in this way.

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

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

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

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

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(b) The average temperature on the surface of Pluto is 43 K.

(i) Convert this temperature to a value in degrees Celsius (°C).

temperature = .................................................... °C [1]

(ii) Pluto has a white surface, as shown in Fig. 10.2. As Pluto rotates, the white surface
alternately faces towards and away from the Sun.

white surface

Fig. 10.2

Explain how this affects the temperature of Pluto as it rotates on its own axis.

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

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

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

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

[Total: 7]

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10 (a) State the equation that defines the average orbital speed v of a planet. State the meaning of
any symbols you use.

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

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

(b) Suggest why countries that are a significant distance from the Equator experience significant
temperature variation throughout the year.

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

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

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

(c) Fill in the gaps in the paragraph about a star much more massive than the Sun.

The stage that follows the stable state in the life cycle of the star is the

....................................... stage.

It then explodes as a supernova to form a ....................................... , this leaves behind a

....................................... or a ....................................... .
[4]

(d) A galaxy is moving away from the Earth with a speed of 33 000 km / s.
The value of the Hubble constant is 2.2 × 10–18 per second.

Calculate the distance from the galaxy to the Earth. Give your answer in light-years.

distance = ....................................... light-years [2]

[Total: 9]

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9 Fig. 9.1 shows the Sun as the central dot and the planets Saturn, Jupiter and Earth labelled S0,
J0 and E0. The planets orbit the Sun anticlockwise. From the Earth’s orbit, the planets appear
aligned.

S0

J0

E0

Fig. 9.1 (not to scale)

Assume that Saturn takes 30 years to orbit the Sun and that Jupiter takes 12 years to orbit the
Sun.

(a) On Fig. 9.1, mark the positions of Saturn and Jupiter 5.0 years after the original positions
shown.

Label these positions S1 and J1. Show your working.

[3]

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(b) (i) On Fig. 9.1, mark the positions of Saturn and Jupiter 20 years after the original positions
shown in Fig. 9.1.

Label these positions S2 and J2.

[1]

(ii) State what is observed from the Earth’s orbit after 20 years.

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

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

(c) (i) Choose two words from the list to describe each planet.

gaseous large rocky small

Jupiter ...............................................................................................................................

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

(ii) The average density of Jupiter is much less than that of the Earth.
The gravitational field strength at the surface of Jupiter is greater than that at the surface
of the Earth.

Explain how these differences in density and in gravitational field strength are consistent
with your answers to (c)(i).

density

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

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

gravitational field strength

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

...........................................................................................................................................
[3]

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(d) The average density of Jupiter is 1300 kg / m3 and its volume is 1.4 × 1015 km3.

Calculate the mass of Jupiter.

mass = ......................................................... [3]

[Total: 12]

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10 (a) Show that 1 light-year = 9.5 × 1015 m.

[4]

(b) (i) State one measurement that is taken when determining the speed v at which a galaxy is
moving away from the Earth.

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

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

(ii) Write down an equation relating v and the distance d of a far galaxy.

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

(iii) State how the distance d of a far galaxy can be determined other than by using the
equation in (ii).

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

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

[Total: 7]

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