Solar System, Stability of Orbital Motions & Satellites Practice Questions

Name the galaxy that contains our solar system.

State how many planets orbit the Sun.

Pluto and Ceres orbit the Sun but are not classed as planets. Give the name used for objects like these.

Give the name used for the cloud of dust and gas from which a star forms.

Name the force that pulls the dust and gas together.

As the dust and gas are pulled together, the temperature of the protostar increases. State what starts to happen inside the protostar when the temperature becomes high enough.

Name the force that keeps the GPS satellite in its orbit around the Earth.

Give one difference between the Moon and the GPS satellite.

Name the process inside stars that produces new elements.

Silver nuclei are heavier than iron nuclei. Name the event in which elements heavier than iron are produced.

Explain how these heavier elements came to be found on a planet such as the Earth.

Give the stage that should be written in box A.

Give the stage that should be written in box B.

Give the stage that should be written in box C.

Give the stage that should be written in box D.

Planets, moons and artificial satellites all move in orbits.

Describe the similarities and the distinctions between planets, moons and artificial satellites.

Calculate the orbital speed of the satellite. Give your answer to two significant figures.

A second weather satellite is in a stable circular orbit of radius $12\,000$ km. Compare the orbital speed of this satellite with the orbital speed calculated in part a.

State the direction of the gravitational force acting on the Moon when it is at point P.

The Moon travels at a constant speed but its velocity is constantly changing. Explain why.

A student reads that the gold in a ring was made long before the Sun existed.

Using your knowledge of the life cycle of stars, explain how the elements found on the Earth, including elements heavier than iron such as gold, were formed and how they became part of our solar system.

Describe the relationship between orbital radius and orbital speed shown by the data.

A new satellite is to be placed in a stable circular orbit of radius $18\,000$ km. Use the data to predict its orbital speed. Justify your answer.

Satellite C is to be replaced by a satellite that will travel more slowly than $3.9$ km/s. State and explain what must be different about the orbit of the new satellite.

Explain why the size of the Sun does not change while it is a main sequence star.

In about 5 billion years the hydrogen in the core of the Sun will start to run out. Explain, in terms of forces, what will then happen to the size of the Sun.

Give the reason why the Sun will not end its life as a neutron star.