SP7

1

End of Unit TestHigher

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Name Class Date

1 Compare and contrast the orbits of a typical comet and a typical moon.

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(4)

(Total for Question 1 = 4 marks)

2 The gravitational field strength on the surface of a moon is proportional to:

● the mean density of the moon

● the moon’s radius

Figure 1 shows data for four moons.

Moon Mean density (kg/m3) Radius (km)

A 1600 430

B 1800 380

C 2000 410

D 2200 340

Figure 1

a i Deduce which moon has the largest gravitational field strength on its surface.

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ii Deduce which moon has the smallest gravitational field strength on its surface.

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b State how you made your deductions in a.

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(1)

(Total for Question 2 = 3 marks)

SP7

2

End of Unit TestHigher

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free.

3 Figure 2 shows the spectra of light from the Sun and three galaxies.

Figure 2

a Study Figure 2.

i State the letter of the galaxy that shows the smallest red-shift in its spectrum. ___________

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ii State the letter of the galaxy that shows the largest red-shift in its spectrum. __________

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iii State the letter of the galaxy that is furthest away from the Earth.__________

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b Explain what the observed red-shift of galaxies tells astronomers about the Universe.

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(2)

(Total for Question 3 = 5 marks)

SP7

3

End of Unit TestHigher

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free.

4 A student writes the following description about a group of bodies in our Solar System:

‘These are smaller than planets and found mainly in solar orbits between planets Mars and Jupiter.’

a What are being described by the student?

Tick one box.

A asteroids

B comets

C dwarf planets

D moons

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b The Earth takes one year to orbit the Sun.

i State the name of a planet that orbits the Sun in a shorter time than the Earth.

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ii State the name of a planet that orbits the Sun in a longer time than the Earth.

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c A student is talking about dwarf planets. The student says:

‘Dwarf planets are simply astronomical bodies that are smaller than the Earth.’

Explain why the student’s statement is incorrect.

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(3)

(Total for Question 4 = 6 marks)

SP7

4

End of Unit TestHigher

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free.

5 Astronomers use telescopes to observe the Universe.

The first telescopes were used by astronomers such as Galileo.

a Describe how methods of observing the Universe have changed over time.

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b Explain why some modern-day telescopes are located outside the Earth’s atmosphere.

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(4)

(Total for Question 5 = 8 marks)

SP7

5

End of Unit TestHigher

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free.

6 The Sun is a main sequence star.

a Describe how gravitational forces were responsible for the Sun becoming a star.

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b Identify the correct sequence for the evolution of a star such as the Sun.

Tick one box.

A main sequence nebula white dwarf red giant

B main sequence nebula red giant white dwarf

C nebula main sequence white dwarf red giant

D nebula main sequence red giant white dwarf

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c It is estimated that, in 10 billion years, the Sun will run out of hydrogen ‘fuel’.

Explain how thermal forces and gravitational forces will cause the Sun to move to the next stage in its life cycle.

You may draw a diagram to explain your answer.

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SP7

6

End of Unit TestHigher

© Pearson Education Ltd 2019. Copying permitted for purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free.

d Describe the life cycle of a main sequence star that has much more mass than the Sun.

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(Total for Question 6 = 8 marks)

7 The Big Bang and Steady State are two alternative theories used by scientists to describe the origin of the Universe.

Compare and contrast these theories and the evidence for them.

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(6)

(Total for Question 7 = 6 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER = 40 MARKS