AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 3
8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Answer questions about the solar system, including the nature of the Sun, galaxies, moons, planetary radii, and satellite orbits.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
03 The Sun is at the centre of our solar system.
03.1 What type of object is the Sun?
[1 mark]
03.2 What is the name of the galaxy our solar system is part of?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Andromeda
Milky Way
Sombrero
Tadpole 13
Table 2 gives information about some of the moons in our solar system.
Table 2
Moon Radius in
kilometres
Ganymede 2630
Titan 2570
Europa 1560
Charon 606
03.3 What is a moon?
[1 mark]
03.4 A student researched the radius of some planets in the solar system.
radius of largest dwarf planet = 1190 km
radius of smallest planet = 2440 km
*12* The student made the following conclusions:
1. dwarf planets are always smaller than moons
2. planets are always bigger than moons.
Give one reason why each of the student’s conclusions is wrong.
Use the data given above and in Table 2.
[2 marks]
The Earth’s Moon and the International Space Station both orbit the Earth.
03.5 Give one other similarity and one difference between the orbit of the Earth’s Moon
and the orbit of the International Space Station.
[2 marks]
*13* Similarity
Difference
03.6 Very few people have been to the International Space Station.
Suggest one reason why very few people have been to the International
Space Station.
[1 mark]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 3
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
03.1 a star 1 AO1
4.8.1.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.2 Milky Way 1 AO1
4.8.1.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.3 natural satellite (that orbits a 1 AO1
planet) 4.8.1.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.4 Charon is smaller than the 1 AO3
(largest) dwarf planet 4.8.1.1
Ganymede / Titan is larger than 1
the (smallest) planet
allow 1 mark for some are
bigger than the smallest planet
or some are smaller than dwarf
planets
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.5 similarity: AO1
circular (orbit) 1 4.8.1.3
difference:
(orbital) period allow (orbital) speed 1
or
(orbital) height
AO /
Spec. Ref.
03.6 expensive 1 AO3
or 4.8.1.3
dangerous
allow difficult to get to
allow few opportunities
allow only trained astronauts
can go
Total Question 3 8
How to answer it
The Solar System and Space Physics
What this question tests
This question assesses your knowledge of our solar system (Solar System structure, celestial bodies including stars, planets, dwarf planets, and natural satellites/moons), orbital characteristics (circular orbits, orbital speeds, periods, and heights), and analytical skills applied to astronomical data tables.
The Sun's Classification
✅ Correct Answer
A star (or just "star").
💡 Key Knowledge
- The Sun is at the centre of our solar system and generates its own light and heat through nuclear fusion.
- Objects that orbit stars are planets or dwarf planets, not stars themselves.
Name of Our Galaxy
✅ Correct Answer
Tick placed next to: Milky Way
❌ Common Errors
Confusing the solar system with the wider universe or choosing other galaxy names like Andromeda. Remember: our solar system is located inside the Milky Way galaxy.
Definition of a Moon
✅ Correct Answer
A natural satellite (that orbits a planet).
💡 Key Knowledge
- Moons are classed as natural satellites because they orbit larger bodies (planets) naturally, distinguishing them from man-made satellites like the ISS.
Evaluating Student Conclusions Using Data
✅ Correct Answers (Any two of the following points)
- Charon is smaller than the (largest) dwarf planet.
- Ganymede / Titan is larger than the (smallest) planet.
- (Alternative allowed): Some moons are bigger than the smallest planet, OR some moons are smaller than dwarf planets.
🧠 Exam Technique
To score full marks here, you must actively compare the data given in the text stem with the values in Table 2. Cross-reference numbers directly: compare moon radii (e.g. Ganymede = 2630 km) against the smallest planet radius (2440 km).
Orbits: Earth's Moon vs. International Space Station (ISS)
✅ Correct Answers
Similarity: Circular (orbit)
Difference: (Orbital) period OR (Orbital) height OR (Orbital) speed
💡 Key Knowledge
- Both objects orbit the Earth in a roughly circular path due to gravity acting as a centripetal force.
- They differ vastly in their distance from Earth (height), how long it takes to complete one orbit (period), and how fast they travel (speed).
Accessing the International Space Station
✅ Correct Answer
Expensive OR dangerous (also accepted: difficult to get to, few opportunities, only trained astronauts can go).
🧠 Exam Technique
This is an AO3 application/suggestion question. Keep your answer concise, realistic, and directly linked to space travel logistics. Avoid overly vague answers like "it's far away" without linking it to cost or danger.
Topics
Physics · P8: Space Physics (physics only)
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.