EDEXCEL IGCSE / CERTIFICATE IN PHYSICS 1-6

Astronomy
Edexcel IGCSE Physics pages 49 to 56
All content applies for Triple & Double Science June 17th 2011

Edexcel Specification
Section 1: Forces and motion
d) Astronomy understand gravitational field strength, g, and know that it is different on other planets and the moon from that on the Earth. explain that gravitational force: - causes moons to orbit planets - causes the planets to orbit the sun - causes the moon and artificial satellites to orbit the Earth - causes comets to orbit the sun describe the differences in the orbits of comets, moons and planets use the relationship: orbital speed = (2 orbital radius) / time period v = (2 r) / T understand that: - the universe is a large collection of billions of galaxies - a galaxy is a large collection of billions of stars - our solar system is in the Milky Way galaxy.

The Solar System

The Solar System consists of the Sun orbited by eight planets and their moons, some dwarf planets along with many asteroids and comets.

Planets
A planet is a body that orbits the Sun, is massive enough for its own gravity to make it round, and has cleared its neighbourhood of smaller objects around its orbit. Based on this, International Astronomical Unions definition of 2006, there are only eight planets in orbit around the Sun. In order of distance from the Sun: Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune

Dwarf Planets
A dwarf planet is a celestial body orbiting the Sun that is massive enough to be spherical as a result of its own gravity. but has not cleared its neighbouring region of other similar bodies. As of 2011 there are five dwarf planets in the Solar System. Between Mars and Jupiter: Ceres Beyond Neptune: Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris (the largest)

Hubble image of Pluto and one of its moons (Charon)

Asteroids
An asteroid is a celestial body orbiting the Sun that is not massive enough to be spherical as a result of its own gravity. Most asteroids are found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter a region called The Asteroid Belt. There are about 750 000 asteroids larger than 1km across.
A few, called Near Earth Asteroids can pass very close to the Earth.

Asteroid Vesta image taken on July 17th 2011 by the Dawn spacecraft

Moons
A moon orbits a planet.
Planet Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Moons (2011) 0 0 1 2 64 62 27 13

The Earths only natural satellite

Note: A number of dwarf planets and asteroids also have moons, for example Pluto has three moons.

Time period (T )
This is the time taken for a planet to complete one orbit around the Sun. It increases with a planets distance from the Sun.

Mercury
Venus

88 days

225 days 1 year

2 years 12 years

Earth
Mars Jupiter

Saturn

29 years 84 years 165 years

Uranus
Neptune

Gravitational attraction
The force of gravity is responsible for the orbits of planets, moons, asteroids and comets. In 1687 Sir Isaac Newton stated that this gravitational force: - is always attractive - would double if either the mass of Sun or the planet was doubled - decreases by a factor of 4 as the distance between the Sun and a planet doubles.

Gravitational field strength (g)

This is a way of measuring the strength of gravity. The gravitational field strength is equal to the gravitational force exerted per kilogram. Near the Earths surface, g = 10 N/kg In most cases gravitational field strength in N/kg is numerically equal to the acceleration due to gravity in m/s2, hence they both use the same symbol g.

Gravitational field strength (g) varies from planet to planet.

It is greatest near the most massive objects. Some examples of gravitational field strength: Location Earth Moon N/kg 10 1.6 Location Jupiter Pluto N/kg 24 0.7

Mars

3.7

The Sun

270

Planet, Dwarf Planet or Moon Mercury Venus Earth Moon Mars Ceres Jupiter Saturn

Number of moons (2011) 0 0 1 2 0 64 62

Average distance from the Sun (millions of km) 58 108 150 (93 million miles) 0.38 (from the Earth) 228 414 779 1443

Diameter (km)

Time for one orbit (years) 0.2 (88 days) 0.6 (225 days) `1.0 0.07 (27 days) 1.9 4.6 12 30

Average surface temperature (C) + 350 + 470 + 15 - 50 - 30 - 100 - 150 - 180

Gravitation al field strength (N/kg) 4 9 10 1.6 4 0.3 23 9

4 700 12 100 12 700 3 400 6 800 970 143 000 120 000

Uranus
Neptune Pluto

27
13 3

2877
4503 5874

51 000
49 000 2 300

84
165 248

- 210
- 220 - 230

9
11 0.7

Planetary orbits
The orbits of the planets are slightly squashed circles (ellipses) with the Sun quite close to the centre. The Sun lies at a focus of the ellipse

Planets move more quickly when they are closer to the Sun.

faster

slower

The above diagram is exaggerated!

What would happen to an orbit without gravity

As the red planet moves it is continually pulled by gravity towards the Sun. Gravity therefore causes the planet to move along a circular path an orbit. If this gravity is removed the planet will continue to move along a straight line at a tangent to its original orbit.

Comets
A comet is a body made of dust and ice that occupies a highly elongated orbit.
When the comet passes close to the Sun some of the comets frozen gases evaporate. These form a long tail that shines in the sunlight. Comets are most visible and travel quickest when close to the Sun. Comets are approximately 1-30km in diameter.

Halleys Comet
This is perhaps the most famous comet.
It returns to the inner Solar System every 75 to 76 years. It last appeared in 1986 and is due to return in 2061.

It has been observed since at least 240BC. In 1705 Edmund Halley correctly predicted its reappearance in 1758.

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

star The Solar System consists of a ______, the Sun, orbited by eight planets, a number of dwarf planets and millions of _______ comets asteroids and ________. orbit the Sun because of gravitational All of these bodies ______ moons and force. Gravity is also responsible for the orbits of _______ artificial satellites. ellipses but those of comets Most orbits are nearly circular _______ are highly elongated. Comets move ________ quickest when they are at their nearest to the Sun

WORD SELECTION:
quickest eight ellipses orbit star moons comets

Orbital speed (v)

orbital speed = (2 x orbital radius) / time period v = (2 x r ) / T orbital speed in metres per second (m/s) orbital radius in metres (m) time period in seconds (s)

Question 1
Calculate the orbital speed of the Earth around the Sun. (Earth orbital radius = 150 million km) v = (2 x r ) / T

= (2 x [150 000 000 km] ) / [1 year] but 1 year = (365 x 24 x 60 x 60) seconds = 31 536 000 s and 150 000 000 km = 150 000 000 000 metres
v = (2 x [150 000 000 000] ) / [31 536 000] orbital speed = 29 900 m/s

Question 2
Calculate the orbital speed of the Moon around the Earth. (Moon orbital radius = 380 000 km; orbit time = 27.3 days) v = (2 x r ) / T

= (2 x [380 000 km] ) / [27.3 days] but 27.3 days = (27.3 x 24 x 60 x 60) seconds = 2 359 000 s and 380 000 km = 380 000 000 metres
v = (2 x [380 000 000] ) / [2 359 000] orbital speed = 1 012 m/s

Question 3
Calculate the orbital speed of the ISS (International Space Station) around the Earth. (ISS orbital height = 355 km; orbit time = 91 minutes; Earth radius = 6 378 km) The orbit radius of the ISS = (355 + 6 378) km = 6 733 km v = (2 x r ) / T = (2 x [6 733 km] ) / [91 minutes] but 91 minutes = (91 x 60) seconds = 5 460 s and 6 733 km = 6 733 000 metres v = (2 x [6 733 000] ) / [5 460] orbital speed = 7 748 m/s

Question 4
Calculate the orbital time of a satellite that has a speed of 3 075 m/s and height above the earth of 35 906 km. (Earth radius = 6 378 km)

The orbit radius of the satellite = (35 576 + 6 378) km = 42 284 km v = (2 x r ) / T becomes: T = (2 x r ) / v = (2 x [42 284 km] ) / [3 075 m/s] but 42 284 km = 42 284 000 metres T = (2 x [41 954 000 ] ) / [3 075 ] orbital time = 86 400 seconds = 1440 minutes = 24 hours

Communication satellites
These are usually placed in geostationary orbits so that they always stay above the same place on the Earths surface.
VIEW FROM ABOVE THE NORTH POLE

Geostationary satellites must have orbits that: - take 24 hours to complete - circle in the same direction as the Earths spin - are above the equator - orbit at a height of about 36 000 km
Uses of communication satellites include satellite TV and some weather satellites.

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

lower A satellite is a ________ mass object orbiting around a higher mass body. ________ slowly The larger the orbit of a satellite the more ________ it moves longer it takes to complete one orbit. and the ________ communications and have Geostationary satellites are used for _____________ 24 hours. an orbital period of _____ monitoring _____________ satellites normally use polar orbits.

WORD SELECTION:
monitoring longer higher lower communications 24 slowly

The Milky Way

The Milky Way is the name of our galaxy.

From Earth we can see our galaxy edge-on. In a very dark sky it appears like a cloud across the sky resembling a strip of spilt milk.
A very dark sky is required to see the Milky Way this clearly

Galaxies
Galaxies consist of billions of stars bound together by the force of gravity. There are thought to be at least 200 billion galaxies in our Universe each containing on average 2 billion stars.
The Andromeda Galaxy

The Suns position in the Milky Way

Types of galaxy

Barred-Spiral NGC 1300 Our galaxy is this type Spiral The Whirlpool Galaxy

Elliptical M32

Irregular The Small Magellanic Cloud

Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:

Universe The ___________ is made up of billions of galaxies which billions consist of __________ of stars bound to each other by the force of ___________. gravity galaxy Sun is The name of our _________ is The Milky Way. The ______ located towards the outer edge of our galaxy.
spiral The are different types of galaxy; ________, barred-spiral, barred-spiral elliptical and irregular. The Milky Way is a ____________ Andromeda galaxy. The _____________ Galaxy is the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way. WORD SELECTION: Andromeda galaxy spiral Sun Universe gravity barred-spiral billions

Online Simulations
My Solar System - PhET- Build your own system of heavenly bodies and watch the gravitational ballet. With this orbit simulator, you can set initial positions, velocities, and masses of 2, 3, or 4 bodies, and then see them orbit each other. Multiple planets - 7stones Planet orbit info - Fendt Distances in Space - Powerpoint presentation by JAA Solar system quizes - How well do you know the solar system? This resource contains whiteboard activities to order and name the planets corrrectly as well as a palnet database - by eChalk Hidden Pairs Game on Planet Facts - by KT - Microsoft WORD Fifty-Fifty Game on Planets with Atmospheres - by KT Microsoft WORD Fifty-Fifty Game on Planets that are smaller than the Earth - by KT - Microsoft WORD Sequential Puzzle on Planet Order - by KT - Microsoft WORD Sequential Puzzle on Planet Size - by KT - Microsoft WORD Lunar Eclipse - flash demo Phases of the Moon - Freezeway.com Phases of the Moon - eChalk Seasons - Freezeway.com
Gravity & Orbits - PhET - Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it! Projectile & Satellite Orbits - NTNU Newton's Cannon Demo - to show how orbits occur - by Michael Fowler Kepler Motion - NTNU Kepler's 2nd Law - Fendt Two & Three Body Orbits - 7stones Orbits - Gravitation program BBC KS3 Bitesize Revision: The Solar System Gravitational Forces Days & Nights Years & Seasons - includes an applet showing the tilt of the Earth The Moon Artificial space probes and satellites

Astronomy
Notes questions from pages 49 to 56
1. Outline the structure of the Solar System and explain the difference between a planet and a moon. (see pages 49 to 50) Define what is meant by gravitational field strength and explain how it may differ throughout the Solar System. (see page 50) How is the orbit of a comet different from a planet? (see pages 51 and 52) (a) Give the equation for orbital speed. (b) Calculate the orbital speed of Mercury around the Sun. [Mercury orbital radius = 58 million km; orbital time = 88 days]. (see page 54) (a) What is the Milky Way? (b) What is a galaxy? (c) How many galaxies are there in the Universe? (see page 55) Answer the questions on page 56. Verify that you can do all of the items listed in the end of chapter checklist on page 56.

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6. 7.