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8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites

8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites

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Question 7

The Sun is located at the center of our solar system.

a.

State the class of astronomical object to which the Sun belongs.

[1]
b.

Identify the name of the galaxy of which our solar system is a part.

[1]
c.

Table 1 provides information about some of the moons within our solar system.

MoonRadius in kilometres
Titan2575
Europa1560
Deimos6

Define what is meant by a 'moon' in terms of its orbital motion.

[1]
d.

An astrophysics student researched the physical dimensions of other bodies in the solar system:

  • Radius of dwarf planet Ceres = 470 km
  • Radius of planet Mercury = 2440 km

The student proposed two conclusions based on this research:

  • Conclusion 1: Dwarf planets are always larger than moons.
  • Conclusion 2: Planets are always larger than moons.

Explain why each of the student's conclusions is incorrect. You must refer to specific data from Table 1 and the student's notes to support your answer.

[2]
Markscheme

8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites Questions

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites

19 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Physics 8.1 Solar system; stability of orbital motions; satellites, covering 8.1.1 Our solar system, 8.1.2 The life cycle of a star, and 8.1.3 Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellites. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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