Physics · Paper 2
Space physics
The solar system, the life cycle of stars, orbital motion and satellites, red-shift and the Big Bang. Physics only.
Lessons
Ticks are remembered on this device only.
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1
Our solar system
Describe the structure of the solar system, the formation of the Sun and planets, and the orbits of planets, moons and artificial satellites (Physics only).
6 terms -
2
Life cycle of a star
Describe the life cycle of stars of different masses, including main sequence stars, red giants, white dwarfs, supernovae, neutron stars and black holes, and…
6 terms -
3
Orbital motion and satellites
Explain how a satellite can move at constant speed but with changing velocity, and how orbital radius and speed are linked (Higher tier only; Physics only).
6 terms -
4
Red-shift and the Big Bang
Describe red-shift as evidence that the universe is expanding, describe the Big Bang theory, and discuss dark matter and dark energy (Physics only).
6 terms
Downloads
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- Our solar system.pptx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Our solar system - Completed Notes.docx The full notes for the lesson, to revise from. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Our solar system - Exam Questions.docx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Life cycle of a star.pptx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Life cycle of a star - Completed Notes.docx The full notes for the lesson, to revise from. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Life cycle of a star - Exam Questions.docx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Orbital motion and satellites.pptx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Orbital motion and satellites - Completed Notes.docx The full notes for the lesson, to revise from. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Orbital motion and satellites - Exam Questions.docx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Red-shift and the Big Bang.pptx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Red-shift and the Big Bang - Completed Notes.docx The full notes for the lesson, to revise from. Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
- Red-shift and the Big Bang - Exam Questions.docx Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026. View
Key terms in this chapter
All 24, gathered from every lesson.
- Solar system
- The Sun and all the objects that orbit it.
- Galaxy
- A huge group of billions of stars held together by gravity.
- Natural satellite
- A moon that orbits a planet.
- Artificial satellite
- A human-made object that orbits a planet.
- Nebula
- A cloud of gas and dust in space.
- Orbit
- The curved path of an object round another because of gravity.
- Nebula
- A cloud of dust and gas from which stars form.
- Main sequence
- The long stable stage of a star's life when hydrogen fuses to helium.
- Red giant
- A large, cool, red star near the end of its life.
- White dwarf
- A small, dense, hot star that is the core of a dead Sun-sized star.
- Supernova
- The explosion of a massive star at the end of its life.
- Black hole
- An object so dense that not even light can escape.
- Orbit
- The curved path of an object round a planet or star.
- Orbital speed
- The speed of an object as it moves in its orbit.
- Velocity
- Speed in a given direction.
- Geostationary orbit
- An orbit with a period of 24 hours, so the satellite stays above one point on Earth.
- Acceleration
- A change in velocity.
- Satellite
- An object in orbit around a larger object.
- Red-shift
- The increase in the observed wavelength of light from distant galaxies because they are moving away.
- Big Bang theory
- The theory that the universe began from a very small, hot, dense region and has been expanding ever since.
- CMBR
- Cosmic microwave background radiation; leftover microwaves from the early universe.
- Dark matter
- Matter that does not emit light but has gravitational effects.
- Dark energy
- An unknown energy thought to be driving the accelerating expansion of the universe.
- Expanding universe
- The idea that space is getting larger over time.