EDEXCEL IGCSE Physics

Mechanics G
Astronomy
(-) The Solar system The solar system comprises the sun and the objects
which directly or indirectly orbit around it.
Objects which orbit around the sun are:
(1) The Planets (Direct orbit)
(2) Satellites (Indirect orbit)
(3) Small Solar System Bodies (such as comets and asteroids - Direct orbit)
(1) The planets - Planets are large bodies which orbit a star. There are eight
planets in our solar system: ..............
............
............
............
............
............
............
............
Planets spins on their own axis while moving around the sun. Spinning of a planet on
its own axis is termed as rotation. The earth takes 24 hours (one day) to complete
one rotation around its own axis.

The orbiting of a planet around the sun is termed as revolution. The orbit of a
planet is elliptical with the sun close to the centre of the path. The earth takes
365 and a quarter days (one year) to complete one revolution around the sun.

Page 1 of 7

(2) Satellites - Satellites are objects which orbit a planet. There are two types
of satellites:
(a) Natural satellites
(b) Artificial satellites
(a) Natural satellites
- These are natural objects which orbit a planet
and they are called moons. Some planets have no moons, some have one moon (e.g.:
earth) while others have more than one moon (e.g.: Jupiter has over 60 moons!).
Like planets, moons also spin on their own axis. It takes 29.5 days for the earths
moon to complete one rotation in its own axis.

The earths moon also takes 29.5 days to complete one revolution around the earth.
As both these times are equal, the moon keeps the same part of its surface facing
the earth.

There are cavities on the surface of the moon. These are called craters.

Page 2 of 7

(b) Artificial satellites - These are artificial (man-made) objects which orbit a
planet. e.g.: The Hubble Space telescope. There are six main types of artificial
satellites. They are used for:
(1) Scientific research
(2) Monitoring weather patterns
(3) Communication
(4) Navigation
(5) Observing the earth
(6) Military purposes

(3) Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs)

All objects which orbit the sun other than planets and satellites are collectively
known as small solar system bodies. Some examples of SSSBs which are required
for IGCSE purposes are:
(a) Asteroids
(b) Comets
(a) Asteroids
- Asteroids are minor planets or rocks that orbit the sun. They
vary greatly in size from just a few meters to several hundreds of kilometres
across.
Asteroid belt This is the belt of asteroids found between the orbits of
Mars and Jupiter.

(b) Comets - Comets are objects made up of dust and ice which orbit the sun.
They too, like the planets, have elliptical orbits but the sun is not at the centre of
the elliptical path. So, at times a comet would be found very close to the sun, while
at other times they are found at the outer reaches of the solar system.

Page 3 of 7

Once a comet comes closer to the sun, some of the ice in it melts and the liquid
formed evaporates as the temperature close to the sun is very high. The
evaporation of this liquid forms a long tail of gases that shines in the sunlight. This
tail of gases can be millions of kilometres in length and always point away from the
sun.

An example of a comet is: The Halleys Comet.

(-) Luminous and non-luminous objects

Luminous objects are objects that emit light of their own.
Non-luminous objects are objects that do not emit light of their own.
We see non-luminous objects because they reflect light from the sun.
Luminous objects

Non-luminous objects

Page 4 of 7

(-) Astronomical models

1) Ptolemaic system

- Earth centred model of the solar system.

Later, sun centred models were developed. Sun centred models were known as
heliocentric models.
2) Nicolai Copernicuss model
circular orbits).

- Sun centred model of the solar system (with

3) Johannes Keplers model

elliptical orbits)

- Sun centred model of the solar system (with

(-) Galaxies and universe

Like the star in our solar system (which we call the sun), there are many more
stars. A galaxy is a system which consists of millions of stars. The galaxy in which
our solar system is found is called the milky way.

Page 5 of 7

Like the Milky Way, there are billions of other galaxies. All these galaxies
together form the universe.
(-) Gravitational Field Strength (g)
The strength of gravity on a planet or moon is called its gravitational field
strength and is given the symbol g. The value of g varies from planet to planet.
For example the value of g:
In earth is approximately 10 NKg-1
In Jupiter is approximately 23 NKg-1
In earths moon is approximately 1.6 NKg-1
(-) Gravity in the universe!
Between two masses, a force of attraction exists. This force is referred to as the
gravitational force. Gravitational forces exist between the different bodies in
space. It is this force which keeps the earth and other planets orbiting around the
sun and the other bodies in place.
Consider the equation below which shows the relationship between mass, distance
between objects and the gravitational force between them:

(Note: You are not expected to study this equation for IGCSE purposes)
The magnitude of the gravitational force between two masses depends on the
masses of the two objects and the distance between them.
Greater the mass, greater the gravitational force.
Closer the masses, greater the gravitational force.

Page 6 of 7

(-) Orbital speeds

In finding orbital speeds, we assume the orbit of the object is circular and not
elliptical. So:
Orbital speed =

2 r
Time period

r Radius of orbit
Q Calculate the speed of a satellite that is orbiting 200 Km above earths surface
and complete one orbit in 1 h 24 min. The radius of the earth is 6400 Km.

Page 7 of 7