The Solar System
Get to grips with The Solar System for GCSE Physics with this free worksheet and full mark scheme — Foundation and Higher exam-style questions with worked answers for AQA, Edexcel and OCR. A separate (triple) physics topic: the solar system contains the Sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, moons and other bodies, all held together by gravity.
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These worksheets and mark schemes are original, written for Virtus Academy and checked against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Every worksheet comes with a full mark scheme.
Topic overview
Our solar system consists of the Sun, the eight planets and their natural satellites, along with dwarf planets, asteroids and comets. This is a Triple-only topic.
The Sun is a star at the centre of the solar system. A natural satellite is a moon orbiting a planet, whereas an artificial satellite is one placed in orbit by humans.
The Sun was formed when enough dust and gas from space was pulled together by gravitational attraction. Smaller masses may also have formed and been attracted to a larger mass to become planets. Our solar system is one of many in the Milky Way galaxy, which is itself one of billions of galaxies in the universe.
Revision notes
What the solar system contains
The Sun, the eight planets and their natural satellites, plus dwarf planets, asteroids and comets.
The Sun is a star at the centre. A natural satellite is a moon orbiting a planet; an artificial satellite is placed in orbit by humans.
Formation
The Sun formed when enough dust and gas from space was pulled together by gravitational attraction.
Smaller masses also formed and were attracted to larger masses, becoming the planets. Gravitational attraction is the driving force throughout.
The wider universe
Our solar system is one of many within the Milky Way galaxy.
The Milky Way is one of billions of galaxies making up the universe. Each galaxy contains many billions of stars.
Key points
- The solar system contains the Sun and eight planets.
- The Sun is a star at the centre.
- A natural satellite is a moon.
- The Sun formed from dust and gas pulled together.
- Gravitational attraction caused the formation.
- The Milky Way is one of billions of galaxies.
Worked examples
Example 1
State what is meant by a natural satellite. [1 mark]
Model answer
A natural satellite is a moon that orbits a planet (1 mark).
Example 2
Describe how the Sun was formed. [2 marks]
Model answer
Dust and gas from space were pulled together by gravitational attraction (1 mark), and when enough mass had gathered the Sun was formed (1 mark).
Example 3
State the name of our galaxy and describe its place in the universe. [2 marks]
Model answer
Our galaxy is the Milky Way (1 mark), which is one of billions of galaxies making up the universe (1 mark).
Common mistakes
Calling the Sun a planet.
The Sun is a star at the centre of the solar system.
Confusing natural and artificial satellites.
Natural satellites are moons; artificial ones are placed in orbit by humans.
Saying the solar system is the galaxy.
The solar system is one of many within the Milky Way galaxy.
Forgetting gravitational attraction in formation.
It is the force that pulled the dust and gas together.
Exam tips
- Name gravitational attraction as the force behind formation.
- Distinguish natural from artificial satellites.
- Learn the hierarchy: solar system, galaxy, universe.
- Remember this is a Triple-only topic.
Key terms
- Solar system
- The Sun and everything orbiting it.
- Natural satellite
- A moon orbiting a planet.
- Galaxy
- A collection of many billions of stars.
- Gravitational attraction
- The force pulling matter together.
Related topics
Written and reviewed against the current AQA, Edexcel and OCR specifications. Spotted an error? Let us know.