Eduqas GCSE Physics
Eduqas GCSE Physics 10 Space Physics Exam Questions
Free Eduqas GCSE Physics revision for 10 Space Physics: what you need to know, common mistakes and exam-style questions with answers. Covers the solar system, moons and artificial satellites, the Sun's formation, orbits, red shift, the expanding universe and the Big Bang.
Practise 10 Space Physics with past papers
Once you have learnt this topic, find the 10 Space Physics questions in real Eduqas GCSE Physics past papers and mark them with the mark scheme. Doing lots of real questions is the quickest way to learn how examiners ask about each idea.
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About Eduqas GCSE Physics 10 Space Physics
Space physics is the final topic in Eduqas GCSE Physics, covering the solar system and orbits, then red shift and the Big Bang. You learn the features of the solar system, how the Sun formed from a cloud of dust and gas, how gravity keeps planets, moons and artificial satellites in circular orbits, and how orbital speed depends on the radius of the orbit. You then study red shift and how it provides evidence that the universe is expanding and began with a Big Bang. Examiners often ask you to explain why orbital velocity changes while speed stays constant and to use red shift as evidence.
What you need to know
- 10.1 The solar system The solar system contains the Sun, the terrestrial (rocky) planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, minor planets, asteroids and comets. Learn their order and how their sizes, orbits and composition compare.
- 10.1 Formation of the Sun The Sun formed from a nebula of dust and gas pulled together by gravity. As it became hotter and denser, nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium began. A stable star is in equilibrium between the inward pull of gravity and the outward pressure from fusion.
- 10.1 Planets, moons and satellites Planets orbit the Sun; moons are natural satellites that orbit planets; artificial satellites are placed in orbit around the Earth for communications, weather monitoring and observation. The inner planets are small and rocky, the outer planets are large gas giants.
- 10.1 Orbits and satellites Gravity provides the force that keeps planets and satellites in circular orbits. The speed is constant but the velocity changes because the direction changes, so the object is accelerating towards the centre. A satellite in a smaller orbit, or orbiting a more massive central object, must move faster to stay in a stable orbit.
- 10.2 Red shift Light from distant galaxies is shifted towards the red end of the spectrum, showing they are moving away. More distant galaxies have greater red shift, so they are receding faster.
- 10.2 The Big Bang Red shift shows the universe is expanding, suggesting it began from a very small, hot, dense region in a Big Bang. The fact that more distant galaxies recede faster is the key evidence linking red shift to the Big Bang model.
Common mistakes in 10 Space Physics
- Saying an object in a circular orbit is not accelerating because its speed is constant. Its direction keeps changing, so its velocity changes and it is accelerating towards the centre.
- Saying red shift means galaxies are turning red. It means the observed wavelength of their light is longer than expected because the galaxy is moving away.
- Saying the Big Bang was an explosion into empty space. It describes space itself expanding from a very small, hot, dense state.
- Saying moons and artificial satellites are the same thing. Moons are natural satellites of planets; artificial satellites are made and launched by people.
- Saying there is no gravity in orbit. Gravity is what keeps the satellite in orbit; astronauts feel weightless because they are in free fall.
Try three 10 Space Physics exam-style questions
1. Explain how a stable star like the Sun stays the same size for billions of years. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
The inward force of gravity; is balanced by the outward pressure from energy released by nuclear fusion.
2. Light travels at 3.0 x 10^8 m/s and the Sun is 1.5 x 10^11 m from the Earth. Calculate how long light takes to reach the Earth. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
time = distance / speed = 1.5 x 10^11 / 3.0 x 10^8; = 500 s.
3. Explain how red shift provides evidence for the Big Bang. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Light from distant galaxies is red shifted, so they are moving away; more distant galaxies have greater red shift so are moving away faster; so the universe is expanding, suggesting it began from a single small, hot, dense point.
10 Space Physics FAQs
What does Eduqas GCSE Physics 10 Space Physics cover?
It covers the solar system, planets, moons and artificial satellites, how the Sun formed, circular orbits and orbital speed, red shift, the expanding universe and the Big Bang.
Which paper is 10 Space Physics examined in?
It is examined in Component 1: Concepts in Physics (2 hours 15 minutes, 120 marks). Component 2: Applications in Physics can also test it through practical contexts and an unseen article.
How do I explain orbits in Eduqas GCSE Physics 10 Space Physics?
Say that gravity acts towards the centre of the orbit, so the direction of motion constantly changes. This means velocity changes even though speed is constant, so the object accelerates towards the centre. For a stable orbit at a smaller radius, the speed must be greater.
