AQA Physics Unit 4.

8-Space- Higher
a f k n
What does our solar system contain? Fill in the blanks for the life cycle of a star. What are the similarities and differences between Describe and explain red-shift.
artificial satellites and moons?

Explain the link between the distance of galaxies from us

and red-shift.
What is the shape of the orbit of a planet around the Sun?
What is the name of the galaxy that our solar system is
part of?

l o
Describe the difference between speed and velocity for Describe the big bang theory.
b an object in a circular orbit.
Describe the following:
nebula -

protostar –
In a stable orbit, what would happen if the speed changed?
Explain the evidence for The big bang?
main sequence star –

c g
Describe and explain the initial formation of all stars. How are elements formed in stars? m
Label the diagram for centripetal force.

a) up to and including iron? How is a theory developed?

b) heavier than iron?

h p
Explain why heavier elements are formed and how they There is still a lot about the universe that we do not
are dispersed. understand. Give some examples.

d
Fill in the blanks. Define centripetal force.
q
My main areas for improvement are:
i
What do the following orbit:
reactions lead to an beteween

the gravitational collapse of a and the a) planets?

of a star due to energy. How are radius and speed related in an orbit?
b) satellites?

e j
There are two different life cycles of stars. How do satellites and planets maintain their orbit?
What determines which life cycle they follow? How can you keep an orbit stable when you change the
radius?
AQA Physics Unit 4.8-Space- Higher Answers
a f k n
What does our solar system contain? Fill in the blanks for the life cycle of a star. What are the similarities and differences between Describe and explain red-shift.

the sun. artificial satellites and moons? Red-shift is the observed increase in wavelength of light

eight planets. towards the red end of the spectrum. This is because an
Similarity: both orbit a planet.
dwarf planets. object is moving away so the light’s wavelength increases.
Differences: moons are natural and satellites are
natural satellites; the moons. man-made.
Protostar Explain the link between the distance of galaxies from us
What is the shape of the orbit of a planet around the Sun? and red-shift.
What is the name of the galaxy that our solar system is
Main sequence star, Circular/Elliptical The further away they are, the bigger the red-shift.
part of? like the Sun
Milky Way galaxy.
Red l o
giant Red super Describe the difference between speed and velocity for Describe the big bang theory.
b star giant star an object in a circular orbit. The universe started from a very small region that
Describe the following:
was hot and dense; all the matter was packed together.
nebula - cloud of gas and dust. White The speed remains the same, but the velocity changes as it
Supernova Something caused the expansion of the universe and it has
protostar – a hot dense mass formed by increasing gravity. dwarf
is constantly changing direction. been expanding ever since.
main sequence star –
Black
a star undergoing nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium. It In a stable orbit, what would happen if the speed changed? Explain the evidence for The big bang?
dwarf
Red-shift: Provides evidence that the universe is expanding. If
is stable due to balanced forces from the outward pressure of The radius would change.
Neutron star Black hole something is moving away then the wavelength seems larger.
expanding hot gases and the star’s gravity.
Change of galaxies’ speed: Provides evidence of an expanding
universe as the further away, the faster their speed of recession.
c g
Describe and explain the initial formation of all stars. How are elements formed in stars? m
Label the diagram for centripetal force.
Gravity pulls a cloud of dust and gas together and begins How is a theory developed?
a) up to and including iron? Fusion reactions in stars.
Scientists use observations, look for patterns in data and form
to get denser. The gravity from this causes an increase in
predictions.
b) heavier than iron? During a supernova.
pressure and temperature. More gas is drawn in and the

mass increases, therefore the gravitational pull increases. h Axis p

Explain why heavier elements are formed and how they There is still a lot about the universe that we do not
Eventually the temperature and pressure are so high that are dispersed. understand. Give some examples.

nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium happens. The temperature and pressure in a supernova is so How the increase in expansion of the universe is occurring.

large that nuclei are forced together. The explosion of a Dark mass.

supernova disperses the elements throughout the universe. Dark energy.

d
Fill in the blanks.
q
Define centripetal force. My main areas for improvement are:
i
What do the following orbit: A force acting towards the centre which causes an object
Fusion reactions lead to an equilibrium between the
to keep moving in a circular path.
gravitational collapse of a star and the expansion of a a) planets? sun

star due to fusion energy. How are radius and speed related in an orbit?
b) satellites? planets
The greater the radius, the slower the speed.
e j
There are two different life cycles of stars. How do satellites and planets maintain their orbit? How can you keep an orbit stable when you change the
What determines which life cycle they follow? radius?
Gravity. Change the speed as well.
The size (mass) of the main sequence star.