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8 Space physics

8 Space physics

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Question 2

Our solar system consists of the Sun and the objects that orbit it.

a.

Which galaxy is our solar system located in?

  • Andromeda
  • Milky Way
  • Triangulum
  • Sombrero
[1]
b.

A radio telemetry signal from a scientific research lander near Jupiter takes 220022002200 seconds to reach a tracking station on Earth. Radio waves travel at a speed of 300 000 km/s300\,000\text{ km/s}300000 km/s.

Calculate the distance between the lander and Earth. Use the equation:

distance=speed×time \text{distance} = \text{speed} \times \text{time} distance=speed×time
[2]
c.

Table 1 gives information about some of the planets in our solar system, listed in order of increasing distance from the Sun.

PlanetTime to orbit the Sun in years
Mercury0.240.240.24
Earth1.01.01.0
Jupiter
Uranus84.084.084.0

There are some planets in our solar system missing from Table 1. How many planets are missing?

[1]
d.

Estimate how many years it takes Jupiter to orbit the Sun.

[1]
e.

Calculate how many times Mercury will orbit the Sun in 121212 years.

[2]
Markscheme

8 Space physics Questions

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