The Earth and the Solar System — Paper 2 · IGCSE Physics (9-1) 0972

37 Which planet in our Solar System is nearest to the Sun and what is the nature of the planet? planet nature A Mercury rocky B Mercury gaseous C Venus rocky D Venus gaseous

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

38 A space station orbits the Earth at a distance of 7000 km from the Earth’s centre. It makes 15 orbits in every 24-hour period. What is the speed of the space station in its orbit? A 2900 km / h B 4400 km / h C 8800 km / h D 27 000 km / h

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2023

37 Which statement about the Solar System is correct? A All the planets are rocky. B Only the Earth has a moon. C Pluto is a dwarf planet. D There are many stars in the Solar System.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

38 Comets are bodies which orbit the Sun in the Solar System. What is the shape of the orbit and how is the Sun positioned within the orbit? shape of orbit position of the Sun A circular centre of orbit B circular not at centre of orbit C elliptical centre of orbit D elliptical not at centre of orbit

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2023

38 It is summer in the northern hemisphere of the Earth in June. Which statement explains why? A The Earth is closer to the Sun in June. B The Earth spins on its axis in the opposite direction to that in which it rotates around the Sun. C The Moon is full in June. D The north pole of the axis of the Earth’s rotation is tilted towards the Sun in June.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2023

37 A planet in the Solar System is at the point in its orbit where it is closest to the Sun. Which row is correct? energy in gravitational orbital speed potential store A at its maximum at its maximum B at its maximum at its minimum C at its minimum at its maximum D at its minimum at its minimum

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2024

7 The table gives four energy resources and states whether the main source of energy for the resource is the Sun. Which row is correct? main source of energy resource energy is the Sun A geothermal yes B oil no C water held behind a dam yes D wind no

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

38 The Earth orbits the Sun once in approximately 365 days. The average radius of the orbit is 1.5  1011 m. What is the average orbital speed of the Earth? A 3.0  104 m / s B 1.1  108 m / s C 2.6  109 m / s D 1.3  1015 m / s

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/22 May/June 2024

38 Which type of object rotates around the Sun with an elliptical orbit? A planet B galaxy C red giant D moon

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2024

22 Satellites are sometimes used to receive and re-transmit television signals. Which row shows the type of satellite and the electromagnetic waves used? electromagnetic type of satellite waves used A low orbit infrared B low orbit microwaves C geostationary infrared D geostationary microwaves

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

38 A student defines three periods of time: ● the time TS taken for the Earth to orbit the Sun ● the time TR taken for the Earth to rotate once on its axis ● the time TM taken for the Moon to orbit the Earth. Which row shows the shortest period of time and the longest period of time? shortest longest period of time period of time A TS TR B TR TS C TR TM D TM TS

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0972/21 May/June 2025

38 A satellite is in orbit around the Earth. The orbit has radius r and period T. Which expression gives the orbital speed of the satellite? r T 2  r 2  T A B C D 2  T 2  r T r

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025

39 Comets move round the Sun. Which statement describes the orbit of a comet? A The orbit is circular with the Sun at the centre of the circle. B The orbit is circular with the Sun not at the centre of the circle. C The orbit is elliptical with the Sun at the centre of the ellipse. D The orbit is elliptical with the Sun not at the centre of the ellipse.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0972/21 Oct/Nov 2025