Space Physics is a core part of GCSE Physics. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts
Light-yearThe distance light travels in one year (~9.5×10¹⁵ m).
Orbital speedv = 2πr ÷ T for a body in a circular orbit.
Main sequence starA stable star fusing hydrogen to helium, gravity balanced by radiation pressure.
Red giant & white dwarfLate stages of a low-mass star's life.
SupernovaThe explosive death of a massive star, leaving a neutron star or black hole.
Red-shiftLight from distant galaxies stretched to longer wavelengths — the universe is expanding.
Common mistakes to avoid
Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
What does red-shift of distant galaxies show?✗ The galaxies are red-hot. ✓ They are moving away — the universe is expanding.
What is a light-year?✗ A length of time. ✓ A distance — how far light travels in a year.
What happens to a star like the Sun at the end of its life?✗ It explodes as a supernova and forms a black hole. ✓ It becomes a red giant, then a white dwarf.
If air resistance is ignored, which falls faster: a heavy ball or a light ball dropped from the same height?✗ Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects because gravity pulls more on them. ✓ Both fall at the same rate because gravitational acceleration is independent of mass.
If a car doubles its speed, what happens to its kinetic energy?✗ Kinetic energy doubles because energy is proportional to speed. ✓ It quadruples (because KE = 1/2 mv^2 — kinetic energy is proportional to v^2).
Practise Space Physics — free games
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