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Space physicsHigherspacesolar system

AQA GCSE · Question 03.1 · Space physics

The Universe contains many stars. The Sun is the star at the centre of our solar system. Give three other types of object that form our solar system.

How to approach this question

Think about the different bodies that orbit the Sun. Besides the Sun itself, what other major and minor objects make up our solar system? List three distinct types.

Full Answer

1. Planet (e.g., Earth, Mars) 2. Moon (natural satellite) 3. Asteroid (Other acceptable answers: Comet, Dwarf planet)
Our solar system consists of the Sun (a star) and the various celestial bodies gravitationally bound to it. These include: - **Planets:** Large spherical bodies orbiting the Sun (e.g., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune). - **Moons (Natural Satellites):** Objects that orbit planets. - **Asteroids:** Small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. - **Comets:** Icy bodies that develop a glowing tail as they approach the Sun. - **Dwarf Planets:** Spherical bodies that orbit the Sun but have not cleared their orbital path (e.g., Pluto).

Common mistakes

✗ Listing specific planets (e.g., "Mars, Jupiter, Saturn") as three different types of object. They are all planets.\n✗ Listing "stars" - the Sun is the only star in our solar system.\n✗ Listing "galaxy" or "universe" - these are much larger structures that contain our solar system.

Practice the full AQA GCSE Physics Higher Tier Paper 2

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