Earth & The Solar System (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Physics)

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The Sun lies at the centre of our solar system, with all other bodies, such as planets, orbiting it, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

State two similarities and one difference between the orbits of the planets.

The innermost planets of the solar system are rocky compared to the outer planets. 

(i) State the source of the heavier elements making up the inner planets.

[1]

(ii) State the name of the process which led to the formation of the inner planets and explain their formation.

[5]

Explain the difference between the inner planets of the solar system and the outer planets.

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The graph in Fig. 2.1 gives data for four bodies in the outer solar system.

Uranus orbits the Sun at an average distance of 2900 million km.

Fig. 2.1         

Use the graph to determine the orbital speed of Uranus.

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Use data from the graph to calculate

(i) The distance travelled by Jupiter in one orbit.

distance = ............................... million km [3]

(ii) The time taken for Jupiter to complete one orbit, giving your answer in days.

orbital period = ................................ days [3]

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Fig. 2.2 shows the typical orbit of a planet.

Fig. 2.2

Add a line to the diagram to show the typical orbit of a comet.

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Add an X to the line drawn in part (c) indicating the point at which the comet will be travelling with the greatest speed.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the solar system.

For each position (i - iii) state the name of the body indicated.

There are more than 200 moons in our solar system.

(i) State the meaning of the term 'moon'.

[1]

(ii) Choosing from the labelled bodies in part (a), state the body or bodies which have moons.

[1]

(iii) Earth has one moon, known as the Moon. Name one other planet in the solar system apart from the answer to part (ii) which has a moon.

[1]

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Astronomers launched the Hubble telescope in 1990, placing it in orbit around the Earth.

The table in Fig. 2 shows information about the orbits around the Earth of both the Hubble Telescope and the Moon.

Fig. 2

For the Hubble telescope and the Moon:

(i) Calculate the closest distance between the Moon and the Hubble telescope.

[1]

(ii) Explain why the distance between the Moon and the Hubble telescope changes.

[2]

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Using the data in the table in part (c) calculate the orbital speed of the Hubble telescope.

The radius of the Earth is 6400 km.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the solar system.

For each position (i - iii) state the name of the body indicated.

The asteroid belt can be considered as the dividing line between the inner and outer planets.

Compare the differences between these two groups of planets.

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Fig. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between orbital speed in km/s and mean distance from the Sun measured in astronomical units, AU.

The positions of Saturn and Pluto have been plotted and labelled.

Fig. 2

For the planet Uranus

(i) Indicate on the graph where Uranus is most likely to be plotted

[3]

(ii) Use your plotted point to estimate the orbital speed of Uranus

[1]

Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the solar system.

(i) Add to the diagram to show the location of the asteroid belt.

[2]

(ii) Sketch a possible orbit of a comet entering and leaving the solar system.

[2]

Fig. 1 (not to scale)

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Compare the orbits of comets and planets.

The statements below describe some of the objects which are found in the Solar System. 

For each description, state the name of the object.

(i) The fifth planet from the Sun.

[1]

(ii) A rocky object located between Mars and Jupiter.

[1]

(iii) A ball of ice and dust whose orbit takes it beyond the Solar System.

[1]

(iv) One of a number of small, rocky objects orbiting Jupiter.

[1]

The Earth-Moon system creates effects which can be observed from Earth.

(i) Tick the statements which are correct.

The Earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days

The Moon takes five weeks to orbit the Earth

The Moon's phases change on a regular cycle

Day and night on Earth are caused by the Moon's orbit

[2]

(ii) Sketch and explain the appearance of the Moon two weeks after a New Moon.

   You may use your diagram to support your explanation.

[4]

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A comet enters the Solar System from beyond the orbit of Pluto.

(i) State the direction in which the comet travels.

[1]

(ii) State how the strength of the Sun's gravitational field changes as the distance from the Sun decreases.

[1]

(iii) State how the speed of the comet changes as it enters the Solar System.

[1]

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Mercury is nearer to the Sun than Saturn.

(i) Compare the orbital speeds of Mercury and Saturn. Explain your answer.

[3]

(ii) Compare the length of the year on Saturn to a year on Mercury.

Explain any differences which you mention in your answer.

[3]

A student states that the nearest star to Earth is Proxima Centauri.

Explain what is wrong with this statement.

Light from Proxima Centauri takes 2 200 000 minutes to reach the Earth. Light from the Sun takes 8.3 minutes to reach the Earth.

The distance from the Sun to the Earth is defined as being 1 astronomical unit (AU).

For the distance to Proxima Centauri

(i) Calculate the distance in metres.

[3]

(ii) Use the ratio method to determine the distance in terms of astronomical units

[2]

A light year is the distance that light travels in one year.

Astronomers usually give the distance from stars in terms of light years rather than using metres and kilometres.

Suggest a reason for this.

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Explain why the orbital speeds of the gas giants are slower than those of the rocky planets.

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The data table in Fig. 1 shows data on the four inner planets.

Fig. 1

Estimate whether the missing masses of Mercury, Venus and Mars, are larger, smaller or very similar to the mass of Earth, referring to the data to support your answer.

(i) Mercury

[3]

(ii) Venus

[3]

(iii) Mars

[3]

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Select data from the table to support the use of Newton's Laws of Motion when calculating for orbital motion.

Explain your choice.

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The orbital speeds of comets are not constant.

Describe and explain how the speed changes.

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Fig. 1 shows Jupiter and the orbits of two of its moons, Ganymede and Europa.

The positions of the two moons are marked for various dates.

The radius of Europa’s orbit is 671 000 km. The radius of Ganymede’s orbit is 1 070 000 km

Fig.1.

Determine the time for Ganymede to complete one orbit of Jupiter.

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Calculate the distance from Europa to Ganymede on 8 June.

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Describe and explain how the distance between Europa and Ganymede changes during three orbits of Europa.