GCSE-Space

Question 1

A main sequence star neither collapses nor explodes because the inward force of gravity is balanced by the outward …?

Answer 1

thermal pressure

Question 2

The process by which stars release energy

Answer 2

Nuclear fusion

Question 3

Most …?… are found in orbit between Jupiter and Saturn.

Answer 3

Asteroids

Question 4

Pluto is a …?

Answer 4

Dwarf planet

Question 5

The outward pressure in a star is maintained by the nuclear …?… reactions inside it

Answer 5

fusion

Question 6

Stars are made mostly of …?…

Answer 6

Hydrogen

Question 7

The name of the closest planet to the Sun

Answer 7

Mercury

Question 8

The name of the planet between Mercury and Earth

Answer 8

Venus

Question 9

The name of the third planet from the Sun

Answer 9

Earth

Question 10

The name of the next furthest planet from the Sun after the Earth

Answer 10

Mars

Question 11

The name of the planet immediately beyond Mars

Answer 11

Jupiter

Question 12

The name of the sixth planet from the Sun

Answer 12

Saturn

Question 13

The name of the seventh planet from the Sun

Answer 13

Uranus

Question 14

The name of the eighth planet from the Sun

Answer 14

Neptune

Question 15

The four outer planets in the Solar System are ..?.. giants

Answer 15

gas

Question 16

How the stars provide evidence for a heliocentric model of the Solar System

Answer 16

Stellar Parallax

Question 17

How planets beyond the Earth (like Mars) provide evidence for a heliocentric model of the Solar System

Answer 17

Retrograde motion

Question 18

What behaviour of Venus provides evidence for a heliocentric model of the Solar System?

Answer 18

Phases

Question 19

How light from distant galaxies provides supporting evidence for the Big Bang Theory

Answer 19

Galactic Red Shift

Question 20

One observation that seems to provide supporting evidence for the Big Bang Theory is called the Cosmic …?… Background Radiation

Answer 20

Microwave

Question 21

The observed relative abundances of Hydrogen and …?… seem to provide supporting evidence for the Big Bang Theory

Answer 21

Helium

Question 22

Nuclear fusion in a star turns Hydrogen into …?

Answer 22

Helium

Question 23

A comet is made of rock and …?

Answer 23

ice

Question 24

The gas and dust around the core of a comet form its …?

Answer 24

coma

Question 25

The tail of a comet is made of dust and ...?

Answer 25

gas

Question 26

When gravity compresses a cloud of Hydrogen so much that its temperature reaches 15 million degrees Celsius, the cloud becomes a ...?

Answer 26

star

Question 27

It is believed that the outer planets are gaseous because when the Sun began to shine, its ...?.. blew most remaining gas away to the outer regions of the Solar System.

Answer 27

radiation

Question 28

It is believed that the inner rocky planets were formed by ...?... pulling dust particles together.

Answer 28

gravity

Question 29

The sequence of stages in the evolution of a star with the same mass as the Sun.

Answer 29

Protostar Main Sequence Star Red Giant Star White Dwarf Star Black Dwarf Star

Question 30

The sequence of stages in the evolution of a star with mass several times greater than that of the Sun.

Answer 30

Protostar Main Sequence Star Red Supergiant Star Supernova Neutron Star (or Black Hole for extremely massive stars)

Question 31

Where are elements heavier than Hydrogen made?

Answer 31

In stars

Question 32

The force that controls the motion of planets, moons, comets, asteroids, satellites and stars is ...?

Answer 32

Gravity

Question 33

A region where gravity is so strong that not even electromagnetic radiation can escape from it is called a ...?

Answer 33

black hole.

Question 34

How do we know that stars are made mostly of Hydrogen and helium?

Answer 34

We see the spectral lines identifying these elements when we study the light from the stars.

Question 35

According to the big bang theory and associated measurements, how old is the universe?

Answer 35

13.8 billion years (or about 14 billion)

Question 36

In the big bang theory, as time goes on the universe ..?.. and ..?..

Answer 36

expands and cools.

Question 37

Big bang theory stage 1 in the development of the early universe.

Answer 37

Very hot, very dense tiny volume full of elementary particles and energy

Question 38

Big bang theory stage 2 in the development of the early universe.

Answer 38

Expansion and cooling makes it cool enough for protons and neutrons to form.

Question 39

Big bang theory stage 3 in the development of the early universe.

Answer 39

Further expansion and cooling makes it cool enough for nuclei to form.

Question 40

Big bang theory stage 4 in the development of the early universe.

Answer 40

Further expansion and cooling makes it cool enough for nuclei and electrons to join to form atoms of Hydrogen..

Question 41

A light-year is ...?

Answer 41

the distance travelled by light in one year. (9.46 trillion km or 9.46 x 10^15 m)

Question 42

How to convert light-years to km. (short method)

Answer 42

Multiply No. of light-years by 9.46 x 10^12 (which is roughly 10^13)

Question 43

How to convert light-years to km. (long method)

Answer 43

Convert No. light-years into light-seconds and multiply by 300 000 i.e. km = ly x 365.25 x 24 x 60 x 60 x 300 000

Question 44

How many planets outside our solar system are believed to have been found so far?

Answer 44

Over 5000 confirmed and about 9000 still unconfirmed.

Question 45

What are the main methods of searching for exoplanets?

Answer 45

1. Detecting regular red and blue shifts in the light from a star as its orbiting planet makes it wobble. 2. Detecting the regular dip in the brightness of the star as its orbiting planet passes in front of it.

Question 46

How is it possible to detect gases like oxygen in the atmospheres of exoplanets?

Answer 46

By analysing starlight that has passed through the exoplanet's atmosphere on its way to us.

Question 47

What is the main factor limiting our chances of visiting other solar systems?

Answer 47

They are so far away that current or developing technologies could not get us there in less than tens of thousands of years.