AQA · GCSE Physics 8463
AQA GCSE Physics: Space physics — Practice Questions & Answers
How the solar system formed, the life cycle of stars, fusion making the elements, orbits, satellites, and red-shift evidence for the Big Bang.
364 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
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Practice questions with answers
1
Multiple choice · Easy
Which of these objects is at the centre of our solar system?
- The Sun
- The Earth
- The Moon
- Jupiter
Tap an answer to check it.
WhyThe Sun is the star at the centre of the solar system; all the planets orbit it.
2
Multiple choice · Easy
What name is given to a natural or artificial object that orbits a planet?
- A satellite
- A comet
- A galaxy
- A nebula
Tap an answer to check it.
WhyA satellite is an object in orbit around a planet; the Moon is a natural satellite of Earth.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
Which force keeps a planet in orbit around the Sun?
- Gravity
- Friction
- Magnetism
- Air resistance
Tap an answer to check it.
WhyGravity provides the centripetal force that keeps planets in their orbits around the Sun.
4
Multiple choice · Easy
What is the very large cloud of dust and gas in which stars first begin to form?
- A nebula
- A galaxy
- A supernova
- A black hole
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WhyStars form from a nebula, a cloud of dust and gas pulled together by gravity.
5
Fill in the blank · Easy
A protostar becomes a sequence star once nuclear fusion of hydrogen begins in its core.
Answer:
main
WhyWhen fusion begins, a protostar enters the long, stable main sequence stage of its life.
6
Fill in the blank · Easy
The Sun is a star, and our Sun is currently a sequence star.
Answer:
main
WhyThe Sun is in the stable main sequence stage, fusing hydrogen into helium.
7
Multiple choice · Medium
During the main sequence stage of a star, which two forces are balanced to keep the star stable?
- Inward gravity and outward force from fusion
- Magnetism and electrostatic force
- Friction and air resistance
- Inward fusion force and outward gravity
Tap an answer to check it.
WhyInward gravity is balanced by the outward force from the high pressure of fusion (radiation/thermal pressure), keeping the star stable.
8
Multiple choice · Medium
A star with a similar mass to the Sun runs low on hydrogen in its core. What does it become next?
- A red giant
- A red supergiant
- A neutron star
- A black hole
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WhyA star about the size of the Sun expands to become a red giant once core hydrogen runs low.
9
Multiple choice · Medium
What is the final stable stage in the life cycle of a star with a similar mass to the Sun?
- A white dwarf
- A neutron star
- A black hole
- A supernova
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WhyA Sun-sized star shrinks from a red giant to a white dwarf, which slowly cools.
10
Multiple choice · Medium
Light from distant galaxies is shifted towards the red end of the spectrum. What is this observation called?
- Red-shift
- Blue-shift
- Refraction
- Diffraction
Tap an answer to check it.
WhyRed-shift is the increase in observed wavelength of light from galaxies moving away from us.
Key terms in Space physics
Solar system: The Sun together with the planets, dwarf planets, moons and other objects that orbit it under gravity.
The Sun: The star at the centre of our solar system around which all the planets orbit.
Star: A massive ball of gas that produces energy by nuclear fusion in its core.
Planet: A large body that orbits a star, has cleared its orbital path, and does not produce its own light.
Dwarf planet: A body that orbits the Sun and is roughly spherical but has not cleared other objects from its orbit, such as Pluto.
Moon: A natural satellite that orbits a planet.
Natural satellite: A naturally occurring body, such as a moon, that orbits a planet.
Artificial satellite: A human-made object placed in orbit around a planet to perform tasks such as communication or observation.
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