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Motion in the universe

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Question 4

The planet Mars orbits the Sun.

a.

Mars takes 687 days687\text{ days}687 days to orbit the Sun. The average radius of its orbit is 228 million km228\text{ million km}228 million km.

Calculate the average orbital speed of Mars. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures and give the unit.

[4]
b.

Comets also orbit the Sun.

Name the force that causes planets and comets to orbit the Sun.

[1]
c.

Describe the shape of a typical comet's orbit compared to the shape of Mars's orbit.

[2]
d.

State where in its orbit a comet travels at its fastest speed, and explain why it travels fastest at this point.

[2]

Motion in the universe Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Motion in the universe