Cambridge IGCSE Physics6.1 The solar system Worksheet

22 questions · 52 marks · Word

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Core

  • I can describe the Solar System as containing:a)one star, the Sunb)the eight named planets, and I know their order from the Sunc)minor planets that orbit the Sun, including dwarf planets such as Pluto, and asteroids in the asteroid beltd)moons, which orbit the planetse)smaller Solar System bodies, including comets and natural satellites
  • I know that, compared with each other, the four planets nearest the Sun are small and rocky and the four planets furthest from the Sun are large and gaseous, and I can explain this difference using an accretion model of how the Solar System formed, including:a)how the model depends on gravityb)the many elements present in interstellar clouds of gas and dustc)the rotation of material in the cloud and the formation of an accretion disc
  • I can calculate how long light takes to travel a significant distance, such as between objects in the Solar System.
  • I know that the gravitational attraction of the Sun is the force that keeps an object in orbit around it.
  • I know that the Earth orbits the Sun once in approximately 365 days, and I can use this to explain the periodic nature of the seasons.
  • I know that the Moon takes approximately one month to orbit the Earth, and I can use this to explain the periodic nature of the Moon's cycle of phases.

Extended

  • I know that planets, minor planets and comets have elliptical orbits, and I can recall that the Sun is not at the centre of an elliptical orbit, except when the orbit is approximately circular.
  • I can analyse and interpret planetary data on orbital distance, orbital duration, density, surface temperature and the uniform gravitational field strength at the planet's surface.
  • I know that, as the distance from the Sun increases, the strength of the Sun's gravitational field decreases and the orbital speeds of the planets decrease.
  • I know that an object in an elliptical orbit travels faster when it is closer to the Sun, and I can explain this using the conservation of energy.