Exercise 1 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 42 Q6
Show mark scheme
max. speed = 0.010 m / s OR 3600 OR 1000
Cambridge IGCSE·Combined Sciences 0653·Physics
Space Physics
Key knowledge — Space Physics
Formulas & equations
Gravitational force: F = Gm₁m₂/r² (Newton's law of gravitation)Orbital speed: v = 2πr/T (circumference ÷ period)
Key facts & rules
- Solar system: Sun (star) → 8 planets → moons, asteroids, comets.
- Planets orbit the Sun due to gravitational attraction — centripetal force provided by gravity.
- Geostationary orbit: period = 24 h, above equator, always above same point — used for communications.
- Low Earth orbit: period ~90 min, lower altitude — used for weather satellites, ISS.
- Life cycle of a star: nebula → protostar → main sequence (most of its life) → red giant/supergiant → white dwarf (small star) OR supernova → neutron star or black hole (large star).
- Red-shift: galaxies moving away show longer wavelength light — evidence for expanding universe.
- Big Bang theory: universe began ~13.8 billion years ago from a single point; has been expanding since.
- 1 light-year: distance light travels in 1 year ≈ 9.46 × 10¹⁵ m.
IGCSE Physics — Space Physics
13 Cambridge IGCSE 0653 Combined Sciences past paper questions on space physics, across Theory, Multiple Choice and Alternative to Practical.
About Space Physics on IGCSE 0653
Space physics explores the solar system, stars and the universe. Gravitational forces keep planets in orbit. Stars form from nebulae and end their lives in different ways depending on their mass.
What's covered:
- The solar system: planets, moons, comets, asteroids
- Gravitational field and orbital motion
- The life cycle of a star
- Red-shift and evidence for the Big Bang
- The expanding universe
- Satellites: natural and artificial orbits
- Light-years and distances in space
Theory
Space Physics — Extended1 · Paper 4
Multiple choice
Space Physics — Core MCQ3 · Paper 1
Question 1 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q37
Show answer
Correct answer: D
Question 2 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q38
Show answer
Correct answer: D
Question 3 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 13 Q39
Show answer
Correct answer: C
Space Physics — Extended MCQ9 · Paper 2
Question 1 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 23 Q28
Show answer
Correct answer: B
Question 2 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 23 Q29
Show answer
Correct answer: A
Question 3 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 23 Q30
Show answer
Correct answer: D
Question 4 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q36
Show answer
Correct answer: C
Question 5 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q37
Show answer
Correct answer: C
Question 6 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 21 Q38
Show answer
Correct answer: D
Question 7 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q38
Show answer
Correct answer: C
Question 8 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 21 Q39
Show answer
Correct answer: A
Question 9 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q39
Show answer
Correct answer: B
All Space Physics questions in this collection
| Type | Level | Paper | Session | Q# | Marks | Answer / key |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ | Core | Paper 13 | May/Jun 2025 | Q37 | 1 mark | D |
| MCQ | Core | Paper 13 | May/Jun 2025 | Q38 | 1 mark | D |
| MCQ | Core | Paper 13 | May/Jun 2025 | Q39 | 1 mark | C |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 23 | May/Jun 2025 | Q28 | 1 mark | B |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 23 | May/Jun 2025 | Q29 | 1 mark | A |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 23 | May/Jun 2025 | Q30 | 1 mark | D |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 22 | May/Jun 2025 | Q36 | 1 mark | C |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 22 | May/Jun 2025 | Q37 | 1 mark | C |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 21 | May/Jun 2025 | Q38 | 1 mark | D |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 22 | May/Jun 2025 | Q38 | 1 mark | C |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 21 | May/Jun 2025 | Q39 | 1 mark | A |
| MCQ | Extended | Paper 22 | May/Jun 2025 | Q39 | 1 mark | B |
| Theory | Extended | Paper 42 | May/Jun 2024 | Q6 | 12 marks | max. speed = 0.010 m / s OR 3600 OR 1000 |