IGCSE Space Physics Review

What causes the periodic cycle of day and night on Earth?

• A) Earth's revolution around the Sun

• B) Earth's rotation on its axis

• C) The Moon's orbit around Earth

• D) The tilt of Earth's axis

Why do we experience seasons on Earth?

• The Earth's distance from the Sun changes

• The Earth's rotation slows down in winter

• The tilt of Earth's axis combined with its orbit around the Sun

• The Moon's gravitational pull affects the seasons

How long does it take for Earth to orbit the Sun?

• 24 hours

• 30 days

• 365 days

• 10 years

What phase is the Moon in when sunlight illuminates the entire visible side?

• A) New Moon

• B) First Quarter

• C) Full Moon

• D) Crescent Moon

What is the primary reason planets stay in orbit around the Sun?

• The Sun emits strong magnetic fields

• The Sun’s gravitational pull

• The rotation of planets

• The planets generate their own gravitational fields

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

• 3 × 10⁵ m/s

• 3 × 10⁸ m/s

• 3 × 10¹² m/s

• 300 m/s

What is the largest planet in our Solar System?

• Mars

• Earth

• Saturn

• Jupiter

Why are the outer planets gaseous and larger than the inner planets?

• A) They formed further from the Sun, where lighter elements could condense

• B) They absorbed more sunlight

Which of the following is a dwarf planet?

• Mars

• Neptune

• Pluto

• Saturn

What kind of orbit do comets have around the Sun?

• Circular

• Elliptical

• Spiral

• Random