5

Paper 1 example questions

1 The diagrams represent the positions of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon at different times of the
Moon’s cycle.

Which diagram represents the position of the Moon when a full Moon is seen from the Earth?

A B
Moon

Moon

Sun Earth Sun Earth

C D
Moon

Sun Earth Sun Earth

Moon

NOT TO SCALE

2 Which row correctly describes the nature of Mars and the nature of Saturn?

Mars Saturn
A gaseous gaseous
B gaseous rocky
C rocky gaseous
D rocky rocky

3 Which type of force keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun?

A electrostatic

B frictional

C gravitational

D magnetic

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4 Which distance is the largest?

A the diameter of Neptune’s orbit

B the diameter of the Sun

C the distance between the Earth and the Sun

D the distance between the Sun and the next nearest star, Proxima Centauri

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Paper 2 example questions

1 Which statement is correct?

A A light-year is the time it takes for light from the Sun to reach the Earth.

B The planets move around the Sun in circular orbits.

C The Sun consists mostly of helium.

D The Sun contains most of the mass of the Solar System.

2 The Sun emits electromagnetic radiation.

The graph shows the energy emitted per second for a range of different wavelengths.

energy emitted
per second

X Y Z

wavelength

Which row gives the types of radiation found in each region?

region X region Y region Z

A infrared ultraviolet visible light
B infrared visible light ultraviolet
C ultraviolet visible light infrared
D visible light ultraviolet infrared

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3 A distant star explodes as a supernova.

Which statement is not correct?

A The exploding supernova forms a planetary nebula.

B The distant star is large when compared with the Sun.

C The supernova releases heavy elements into space.

D The supernova leaves behind a neutron star or a black hole.

4 Distant galaxies are moving away from the Earth at very high speeds.

Graph P and graph Q show how the speed of these distant galaxies changes as their distance
from the Earth increases.

speed distance

distance speed
P Q

In which row are the statements about the Hubble constant and about the age of the Universe
correct?

Hubble constant age of the Universe

A gradient of the line in graph P area under the line in graph Q
B gradient of the line in graph P gradient of the line in graph Q
C gradient of the line in graph Q area under the line in graph P
D gradient of the line in graph Q gradient of the line in graph P

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Paper 3 example questions

1 (a) State the name of the force that keeps the Earth in orbit around the Sun.

............................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) State how many days it takes the Earth to complete one orbit of the Sun.

time for one orbit of the Sun = .................................................. days [1]

(c) Explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky each day.

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

 [Total: 4]

2 (a) Complete the sentences about objects in our Solar System.

Planets, minor planets and ................................................................................. orbit the Sun.

The objects that orbit planets are called .................................................................................. .

[2]

(b) Compare the structure and the size of the four inner planets with those of the four outer
planets of our Solar System.

inner planets ..............................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

outer planets ..............................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................
[3]

 [Total: 5]

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3 (a) State the names of the two main elements found in the Sun.

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) The Sun is one of many billions of stars that make up our galaxy.

Complete the following sentence about our galaxy.

Our galaxy is named the ..................................................................................................... . [1]

(c) The distance of Mars from the Sun is 2.4 × 1011 m. The speed of light is 3.0 × 108 m / s.

Calculate the time for light from the Sun to reach Mars.

time for light to reach Mars = ........................................................ s [3]

 [Total: 6]

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Paper 4 example questions

1 Fig. 1.1 shows the orbit of a comet around the Sun. X, Y, P and Q are different positions on this
orbit.

X
Y

orbit of comet
P
Sun

Fig. 1.1

(a) (i) State how the speed of the comet changes as it moves from X to Y.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain, in terms of energy transfer, your answer to (a)(i).

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) The shape of the orbit of the comet from P to Q is circular, with the Sun at its centre.

State and explain the changes, if any, in the speed and in the velocity of the comet as it
moves from P to Q.

speed .........................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

velocity .......................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................
 [4]

 [Total: 8]

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2 (a) Explain why the Moon is visible from the Earth.

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Fig. 2.1 shows some of the phases of the Moon as seen from the Earth.

day 0 day 7 day 14 day 22 day 29

new Moon full Moon

Fig. 2.1

(i) On Fig. 2.1, draw the phases of the Moon for day 7 and for day 29.  [2]

(ii) State what the phases of the Moon indicate about the motion of the Moon.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) The average radius of the Moon’s orbit is 3.84 × 105 km. The Moon’s average orbital speed is
1025 m / s.

Calculate the time period for the Moon to complete one orbit of the Earth.

time for one orbit = ........................................................... [3]

 [Total: 9]

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3 (a) Light from glowing hydrogen in distant galaxies is redshifted.

(i) Describe what is meant by the redshift of light.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) State what can be deduced from the redshift of light from glowing hydrogen in a distant
galaxy.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) (i) State one method for estimating the distance d of a distant galaxy from the Earth.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

1
(ii) Explain how, according to the Big Bang Theory, represents the age of the Universe.
H0

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [3]

 [Total: 8]

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Paper 1 example questions

1 Which row in the table correctly lists a galaxy, a planet and a star?

galaxy planet star

A Milky Way Mars Moon
B Milky Way Earth Sun
C Solar System Mars Sun
D Solar System Earth Moon

2 The orbit around the Sun of a comet is not circular. The distance between the Sun and the comet
varies, as shown in the diagram.

Sun

P R

orbit of comet

Where, in the orbit, is the speed of the comet the greatest and where is it the smallest?

speed greatest at speed smallest at

A P R
B P and R Q
C Q P and R
D R P

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 6

3 The orbit around the Sun of a particular asteroid (dwarf planet) is not circular. The distance
between the Sun and the asteroid varies, as shown in the diagram.

The asteroid possesses both gravitational potential energy (GPE) and kinetic energy (KE).

Sun

X Z

orbit of asteroid

Which energy transfer takes place as the asteroid moves from X to Y and as it moves from Y to Z?

moving from X to Y moving from Y to Z

A GPE to KE GPE to KE
B GPE to KE KE to GPE
C KE to GPE GPE to KE
D KE to GPE KE to GPE

4 Ceres and Vesta are two asteroids (dwarf planets) that orbit the Sun. The orbits of Ceres and
Vesta are approximately circular.

The Sun’s gravitational field at the orbit of Ceres is weaker than that at the orbit of Vesta.

How does the orbital speed of Ceres and its orbital period compare with the orbital speed and
orbital period of Vesta?

orbital speed of Ceres orbital period of Ceres

A smaller than that of Vesta smaller than that of Vesta
B smaller than that of Vesta greater than that of Vesta
C greater than that of Vesta smaller than that of Vesta
D greater than that of Vesta greater than that of Vesta

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5 The Sun emits energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

Which three components of the electromagnetic spectrum account for almost all of this energy?

A infrared, microwave and ultraviolet

B infrared, microwave and visible light

C infrared, ultraviolet and visible light

D microwave, ultraviolet and visible light

6 When, in the life cycle of a star, are heavy elements produced?

A when a cloud containing hydrogen collapses

B when a protostar becomes stable

C when a red supergiant explodes

D when a white dwarf is formed

7 The statements J, K, L and M describe different stages in the life cycle of a small star.

J A cloud containing hydrogen collapses due to gravitational attraction.

K A red giant is produced.
L A white dwarf is produced.
M Hydrogen undergoes nuclear fusion to produce helium.

What is the order (first to last) in which the stages occur?

A J, M, K, L

B J, M, L, K
C M, J, K, L

D M, J, L, K

8 What provides evidence for the Big Bang Theory?

A the expulsion of heavy elements into space during a supernova explosion

B the increase in the observed wavelength of radiation emitted by distant galaxies

C the nuclear fusion reaction that takes place at the centre of stable stars

D the smaller orbital speeds of the planets that are further from the Sun

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Paper 2 example questions

1 The Solar System contains the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids and comets.

(a) State the name of the planet closest to the Sun.

............................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Describe the difference between a planet and a moon.

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) State two differences between an asteroid and a comet.

1 .................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

2 .................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(d) The planet closest to the Sun orbits the Sun in 88 days.

State two reasons why the Earth takes longer to orbit the Sun than this planet.

1 .................................................................................................................................................

2 .................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(e) (i) State the time taken for light to travel from the Sun to the Earth.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Using your answer to (e)(i), calculate the distance from the Sun to the Earth.

Show your working.

distance = ....................................................... m [2]

 [Total: 10]

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2 (a) A year, a month and a day can be defined in terms of the motions of the Earth, the Moon and
the Sun.

Using these motions, complete the following sentences.

(i) A year is the time for

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) A month is the time for

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) A day is the time for

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Earth, Jupiter and Saturn are three planets in the Solar System.

Table 2.1 gives information about these planets.

Table 2.1

planet orbital speed time to orbit

km / h Sun / years
Earth 1.1 × 105 1.0
4
Jupiter 4.7 × 10 12
Saturn 3.5 × 104 29

Using data from Table 2.1, calculate the average radius of Saturn’s orbit around the Sun.

Give your answer in km.

radius = ..................................................... km [3]

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 11

(c) Fig. 2.1 shows one alignment with the Sun of Earth, Jupiter and Saturn.

Sun
Jupiter
Earth Saturn
direction NOT TO
of orbit SCALE

Fig. 2.1

(i) In Fig. 2.1, the three planets and the Sun are in line.

29 years later, Saturn returns to the same position relative to the Sun, but Earth and
Jupiter are not in the same line.

Use data from Table 2.1 to explain why.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Complete Fig. 2.2 to show the positions of the three planets exactly 6 years after the
diagram in Fig. 2.1.

Sun

Fig. 2.2
[3]

 [Total: 11]

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3 Table 3.1 lists some of the planets in the Solar System and their average distances from the Sun.

Table 3.1

planet average distance from the Sun / km

Mercury 5.8 × 107
1.1 × 108
Earth 1.5 × 108
2.3 × 108
Jupiter 7.8 × 108

(a) Complete Table 3.1 by writing in the names of the missing planets. [2]

(b) As the planets move around the Sun, the distance between Earth and Jupiter changes.

Use Table 3.1 to calculate the smallest distance and the largest distance between Earth and
Jupiter.

smallest distance = ................................................................

largest distance = ................................................................

[2]

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(c) A planet is in orbit around a distant star. As it passes in front of the star, it blocks some of the
light of the star from reaching Earth, reducing the brightness of the star as seen from Earth.

Fig. 3.1 shows the view, from Earth, as the planet passes in front of the star.

star
planet

direction of motion

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.2 shows an incomplete graph of how the brightness of the star varies with time, as
seen from Earth.

The planet is in front of the star from time t1 to time t2.

brightness of
star as seen
from Earth

0
0 t1 t2 time

Fig. 3.2

(i) Complete Fig. 3.2 to show how the brightness of the star varies with time. [2]

(ii) Describe how the completed Fig. 3.2 should be changed to show a larger planet passing
at the same distance in front of the same star.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) Suggest how an astronomer uses the changes in the brightness of the star to measure
the orbital period of the planet round the star.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

 [Total: 9]

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4 When astronomers look at distant galaxies, they find that the frequency of the light from the galaxy
is shifted towards the red end of the spectrum.

(a) (i) Apart from visible light, state two types of electromagnetic wave that contain most of the
energy emitted by a stable star.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe what is meant by the red end of the spectrum.

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The speed of recession of a galaxy is the speed at which the galaxy is moving away from
Earth.

Astronomers use redshift to measure the speed of recession.

Astronomers can also measure the distance d of the galaxy from Earth. Such large distances
are measured in light-years.

Astronomers can estimate the time T that the galaxy has been moving away from Earth using
the equation

d
T=
speed of recession

Table 4.1 shows their estimates for four different galaxies.

Table 4.1

d / light-years speed of recession T / billions of years

km / s
4.9 × 107 1100 13
8
1.0 × 10 2400 13
3.2 × 108 6700 14
3.9 × 108 9000 13

(i) State what is meant by a galaxy.

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

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 15

(ii) Show that 1.0 light-year is equal to 9.5 × 1015 m.

 [3]

(iii) Describe the relationship between the speed of recession of a galaxy and its distance
from Earth.

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iv) Explain how the values of T provide evidence for the Big Bang Theory of the origin of the
Universe.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

 [Total: 10]

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5 (a) The Sun produces energy from nuclei of hydrogen. Hydrogen nuclei are positively charged.

(i) Describe the process that produces this energy.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Explain why this process needs a high temperature to occur.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) (i) Some stars are initially much more massive than the Sun.

Describe the life cycle of such a star, after it has passed through the stage of being a
protostar.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [4]

(ii) Although the early Universe contained only light elements such as hydrogen, it now
contains a number of very heavy elements.

State in which part of the life cycle of a star these very heavy elements are formed.

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

 [Total: 9]

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12 (a) Fig. 12.1 represents the Earth and the Sun at one point in the Earth’s orbit of the Sun.

night day Sun

axis

Fig. 12.1 (not to scale)

Explain the apparent daily motion of the Sun across the sky.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) List the four planets closest to the Sun in order of their distance from the Sun. One is done for
you.

Earth
1 ............................ 2 ............................ 3 ............................ 4 ............................ [2]

(c) The Sun mostly consists of two elements.

State the two elements.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................
[2]

(d) The Sun is a star in a galaxy.

State the name of the galaxy.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 7]

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11 Fig. 11.1 shows the Sun and the four innermost planets, A, B, C, and D, of the Solar System.

planet B planet C planet D

planet A
Sun

Fig. 11.1 (not to scale)

(a) In Table 11.1, write the names of the innermost planets. One is done for you.

Table 11.1

planet name of planet

A
B Venus
C
D
[2]

(b) Describe how the four innermost planets of the Solar System were formed.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [4]

[Total: 6]

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10 Fig. 10.1 represents part of the Solar System.

Neptune
Earth

Jupiter

Sun Uranus
planet A

planet B

Venus
Saturn

Fig. 10.1 (not to scale)

(a) (i) State the name of planet A and the name of planet B.

planet A .............................................................................................................................

planet B .............................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) On Fig. 10.1, draw an X to represent a moon of Jupiter. Draw a line to show how this
moon moves. [1]

(iii) State two ways in which the four planets nearest to the Sun are different from the four
planets furthest away from the Sun.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(iv) Complete the following sentences:

The galaxy that includes the Solar System is called the ................................................. .

The ........................................ includes billions of galaxies.

[2]

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(b) The distance between the Sun and the Earth is 1.5 × 1011 m.
The speed of an electromagnetic wave is 3.0 × 108 m / s.

Calculate the time taken for an electromagnetic wave to travel from the Sun to the Earth.

time taken = ...................................................... s [3]

[Total: 10]

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10 Pluto is a dwarf planet. Fig. 10.1 shows the direction of motion of Pluto as it follows its elliptical
orbit around the Sun.

Pluto

X Sun

orbit
direction
of motion

Fig. 10.1 (not to scale)

(a) Point X is the point in the orbit closest to the Sun and point Y is the point furthest away.

The orbital speed of Pluto varies as it orbits the Sun.

(i) Describe how the speed of Pluto varies as it moves from X to Y and then back to X.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain, in terms of energy transfers, why the speed of Pluto varies in this way.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

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 19

(b) The average temperature on the surface of Pluto is 43 K.

(i) Convert this temperature to a value in degrees Celsius (°C).

temperature = .................................................... °C [1]

(ii) Pluto has a white surface, as shown in Fig. 10.2. As Pluto rotates, the white surface
alternately faces towards and away from the Sun.

white surface

Fig. 10.2

Explain how this affects the temperature of Pluto as it rotates on its own axis.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 7]

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10 (a) State the equation that defines the average orbital speed v of a planet. State the meaning of
any symbols you use.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) Suggest why countries that are a significant distance from the Equator experience significant
temperature variation throughout the year.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) Fill in the gaps in the paragraph about a star much more massive than the Sun.

The stage that follows the stable state in the life cycle of the star is the

....................................... stage.

It then explodes as a supernova to form a ....................................... , this leaves behind a

....................................... or a ....................................... .
[4]

(d) A galaxy is moving away from the Earth with a speed of 33 000 km / s.
The value of the Hubble constant is 2.2 × 10–18 per second.

Calculate the distance from the galaxy to the Earth. Give your answer in light-years.

distance = ....................................... light-years [2]

[Total: 9]

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9 Fig. 9.1 shows the Sun as the central dot and the planets Saturn, Jupiter and Earth labelled S0,
J0 and E0. The planets orbit the Sun anticlockwise. From the Earth’s orbit, the planets appear
aligned.

S0

J0

E0

Fig. 9.1 (not to scale)

Assume that Saturn takes 30 years to orbit the Sun and that Jupiter takes 12 years to orbit the
Sun.

(a) On Fig. 9.1, mark the positions of Saturn and Jupiter 5.0 years after the original positions
shown.

Label these positions S1 and J1. Show your working.

[3]

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 13

(b) (i) On Fig. 9.1, mark the positions of Saturn and Jupiter 20 years after the original positions
shown in Fig. 9.1.

Label these positions S2 and J2.

[1]

(ii) State what is observed from the Earth’s orbit after 20 years.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) (i) Choose two words from the list to describe each planet.

gaseous large rocky small

Jupiter ...............................................................................................................................

Earth ..................................................................................................................................
[1]

(ii) The average density of Jupiter is much less than that of the Earth.
The gravitational field strength at the surface of Jupiter is greater than that at the surface
of the Earth.

Explain how these differences in density and in gravitational field strength are consistent
with your answers to (c)(i).

density

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

gravitational field strength

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[3]

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 14

(d) The average density of Jupiter is 1300 kg / m3 and its volume is 1.4 × 1015 km3.

Calculate the mass of Jupiter.

mass = ......................................................... [3]

[Total: 12]

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10 (a) Show that 1 light-year = 9.5 × 1015 m.

[4]

(b) (i) State one measurement that is taken when determining the speed v at which a galaxy is
moving away from the Earth.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Write down an equation relating v and the distance d of a far galaxy.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) State how the distance d of a far galaxy can be determined other than by using the
equation in (ii).

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

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10 (a) Astronomical distances are measured in light-years.

(i) State what is meant by ‘a light-year’.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) The Sun is one star in the Milky Way galaxy.

State the approximate diameter of the Milky Way galaxy.

diameter of Milky Way = ....................................... light-years [1]

(b) There are several stages in the life cycle of a star.

(i) Complete Fig. 10.1 to show the stages that a massive star goes through after it has
used up most of the hydrogen at the centre of the star.

Use words from the following list:

nebula neutron star protostar red giant supernova white dwarf

massive star (much larger

than our Sun)

red supergiant

.............................................

............................................. and black hole or .............................................

Fig. 10.1
[2]

(ii) State the stage in the life cycle of a star where heavy elements are formed.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Question 10 continues over the page.

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 16

(c) Current scientific understanding is that the universe began 14 billion years ago in an event
known as the Big Bang.

Explain one observation that supports the Big Bang Theory.

observation ...............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

explanation ...............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[4]

[Total: 9]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2023 5054/22/M/J/23

 20

11 Table 11.1 shows details about eight planets in the solar system, their average distance from the
Sun, their orbital period and their average surface temperature.

Table 11.1

distance from the average surface

planet orbital period / s
Sun / km temperature / °C

5.8 × 107 7.6 × 106 167

.............................
Venus 1.1 × 108 1.9 × 107 464

Earth 1.5 × 108 3.2 × 107 15

Mars 2.3 × 108 5.9 × 107 −65

7.8 × 108 3.7 × 108 −110

.............................
Saturn 1.4 × 109 9.3 × 108 −140

2.9 × 109 2.6 × 109 −195

.............................
Neptune 4.5 × 109 5.2 × 109 −200

(a) Complete Table 11.1 by adding the names of the three planets that are not given. [2]

(b) Calculate the orbital speed of Mars as it travels around the Sun.

orbital speed = ................................................ km / s [2]

(c) Describe the relationship between the distance of a planet from the Sun and its orbital period.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(d) Describe the relationship between the distance from the Sun and the average surface
temperature of a planet.

In your description, include any anomalies.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 7]
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10 (a) The time taken for Mars to orbit the Sun is 690 Earth days. The average orbital radius of Mars
is 2.28 × 108 km. An Earth day is 24 h.

Calculate the average orbital speed of Mars in km / s.

average speed = ......................................................... [3]

(b) State the shape of the orbits of the planets.

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(c) Light from a distant galaxy is redshifted.

(i) Explain what is meant by redshift.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) State the quantity that the redshift of a galaxy is used to calculate.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

Permission to reproduce items where third‑party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer‑related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download
at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge.

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12 (a) State, in order, the names of the three planets closest to the Sun.

Closest to the Sun ............................................................

............................................................

Furthest from the Sun ............................................................

[2]

(b) Define a light-year.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(c) Jupiter is 780 000 000 000 m (7.8 # 1011 m) from the Sun.

The speed of light is 300 000 000 m / s (3.0 # 108 m / s) .

Calculate the time for light to travel from the Sun to Jupiter.

time = ....................................................... s [2]

[Total: 6]

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11 (a) Describe and explain how a stable star is formed.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) Describe and explain what can be deduced from cosmic microwave background radiation
(CMBR).

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [3]

 [Total: 6]

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12 (a) The Sun is our nearest star.

(i) State the three main forms of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun.

1 .........................................................................................................................................

2 .........................................................................................................................................

3 .........................................................................................................................................
 [2]

(ii) State the two main elements that are found in the Sun.

1 .........................................................................................................................................

2 .........................................................................................................................................
 [1]

(b) State and explain what can be deduced from the ‘redshift’ observed by astronomers in the
light from all distant galaxies.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [3]

 [Total: 6]

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10 The Sun is a star in a stable part of its life cycle.

(a) Using ideas about forces, explain how the Sun remains stable in this part of its life cycle.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Describe what happens to stars of similar mass to the Sun at the end of the stable part of
their life cycle.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [3]

(c) The orbital speed of Earth around the Sun is 30 km / s. Use this value to calculate the distance
of Earth from the Sun.

Show your working. State the unit of your answer.

distance = ...................................... unit = .......... [3]

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(d) The light emitted by distant galaxies show various amounts of redshift.

(i) State the name of the galaxy that contains our Sun.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) State what is meant by redshift and describe how it is caused.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) An astronomer compares the spectrum of light emitted by the Sun with the spectrum of
light emitted by distant galaxies P and Q.

Fig. 10.1 shows the same four lines as observed in all three spectrums.

increasing wavelength

Sun

Galaxy P

Galaxy Q

Fig. 10.1

State what Fig. 10.1 enables the astronomer to deduce about galaxy P and galaxy Q.

Explain the astronomer’s reasons in your answer.

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................... [2]

 [Total: 13]

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10 Fig. 10.1 shows a simple diagram of the Solar System.

Saturn

Neptune

Earth

Mercury

Sun

Venus
Uranus

Mars Jupiter

not to scale

Fig. 10.1

(a) Saturn is in orbit around the Sun.

(i) Draw an arrow (→) on Fig. 10.1 to show the direction of the force that keeps Saturn in
orbit around the Sun.  [1]

(ii) State the name of the force that keeps Saturn in orbit around the Sun.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) The mean distance between Saturn and the Sun is 1.43 × 1012 m.
It takes 11 000 Earth days for Saturn to complete one orbit of the Sun.

Calculate the orbital speed of Saturn.

orbital speed = ................................................... m / s [3]

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2022 0654/04/SP/25
 25

(b) The Sun is a stable star formed 5 billion years ago.

Describe the formation of a stable star.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) Describe what the Big Bang Theory states in terms of the formation of the Universe.

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................... [2]

 [Total: 9]

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8 (a) (i) A spacecraft has a mass of 3.1 × 103 kg.

Calculate the weight of the spacecraft on the surface of the Earth.

Include the unit in your answer.

 weight = .......................... unit .......... [3]

(ii) The spacecraft is launched into space. The spacecraft accelerates as it moves upwards
through the Earth’s atmosphere.

State what is meant by accelerates.

....................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) The spacecraft travels from the Earth to the Moon in 3.2 days.

Calculate the number of hours in 3.2 days.

number of hours = ........................................................... [1]

(iv) The distance from the Earth to the Moon is 384 000 km.

Use your answer to (a)(iii) to calculate the average speed of the spacecraft in km / h.

speed = ................................................. km / h [2]

(v) The spacecraft is controlled by radio waves sent from the Earth.

State whether the radio waves travel to the spacecraft faster, slower or at the same
speed as visible light.

Give a reason for your answer.

speed .................................................................................................................................

reason ................................................................................................................................
 [1]

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(b) The Earth orbits the Sun as part of the Solar System.

State the name of the planet that orbits closest to the Sun.

............................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) State the name of the galaxy that contains the Sun.

............................................................................................................................................... [1]

 [Total: 10]

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