The table shows data for four planets, W, X, Y, and Z, which orbit the same star.
| Planet | Surface temperature / K\text{K}K | Diameter / km\text{km}km | Gravitational field strength / N/kg\text{N/kg}N/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | 730 | 12100 | 8.9 |
| X | 115 | 143000 | 24.8 |
| Y | 55 | 51000 | 11.2 |
| Z | 165 | 120000 | 10.4 |
State and explain which one of these planets is closest to the star.
Calculate the surface temperature of planet Z in ∘C{^\circ}\text{C}∘C.
An object is dropped from rest through a height of 3.0 m on each of the planets. State and explain on which planet the object falls this distance in the shortest time. Ignore any atmospheric effects.
Complete the sequence representing the life cycle of a star of similar mass to our Sun:
main sequence star→A→planetary nebula→B \text{main sequence star} \rightarrow \text{A} \rightarrow \text{planetary nebula} \rightarrow \text{B} main sequence star→A→planetary nebula→BIdentify the stages represented by A and B.
State the main element found in an interstellar cloud (nebula) before a star forms.
25 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 6.2.2a Galaxies and astronomical distances. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.