KS3 Earth and Beyond 1

Q1.
(a) The diagram below shows the positions of the Sun, Moon and Earth during a solar
eclipse.
Write numbers (1–4) on the diagram below to label the features during an eclipse.
1. the Earth
2. the Moon
3. the Sun
4. a region where the total eclipse of the Sun is taking place
not to scale
2 marks
(b) Scientists discovered a regular cycle of eclipses. It is called the Saros cycle.
The table below shows the dates of some eclipses in this cycle.
Complete the table by predicting the date of the next eclipse in the Saros cycle.
eclipse date
eclipse 1 20th July 1963
eclipse 2 31st July 1981
eclipse 3 11th August 1999
eclipse 4
2 marks
maximum 4 marks
Q2.
Pluto was discovered in 1930. It was classified as a planet.
In 2006, scientists agreed that Pluto is not a planet.
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(a) The diagram below shows our solar system.
not to scale
(i) From the diagram, what supports the idea that Pluto is a planet?
...............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) From the diagram, what supports the idea that Pluto is not a planet?
...............................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) The table below shows information about planets in our solar system.
planet diameter (km)
Mercury 4800
Venus 12200
Earth 12800
Mars 6800
Jupiter 142600
Saturn 120200
Uranus 49000
Neptune 50000
Pluto has a diameter of 2 300 km.

How does this information suggest to scientists that Pluto is not a planet?
........................................................................................................................
1 mark
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(c) An object called Charon orbits Pluto.
How does the presence of Charon support the idea that Pluto is a planet?
........................................................................................................................
1 mark
(d) The table below shows the composition of the atmosphere of some of the objects in
our solar system.
object atmosphere
Mercury none
Venus mainly carbon dioxide
Earth mainly nitrogen and oxygen
Neptune hydrogen, helium and methane
Earth’s moon none
Titan (a moon) nitrogen and methane
Pluto nitrogen and methane
Atmosphere is not used to classify objects as moons or planets.

Use the information above to suggest a reason for this.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
1 mark
(e) Why do you think scientists found it difficult to decide how Pluto should be
classified?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q3.
The table below shows information about four planets.
time taken to orbit the Sun distance from the

planet
(Earth years) Sun (million km)
Mercury 0.25 60
Venus 0.5 108
Earth 1.0 150
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Mars 2.0 228
The diagram below shows the orbits of the Earth, Mercury, Venus and Mars, and their
position at one particular time.
The arrows show the direction in which the planets move.
not to scale
(a) Show the position of each planet six months later by drawing a letter X on the orbit
of each planet.
2 marks
(b) Use the information in the table to calculate the largest and smallest distance
between the Earth and Venus.
closest ............................................ million km

1 mark
furthest ............................................ million km

1 mark
(c) The speed of light is 300 000 km/second.

Calculate how long light takes to reach the Earth from the Sun.
........................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................... s
1 mark
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(d) The diagram below shows the path of an asteroid around the Sun.
not to scale
(i) On the path of the asteroid, draw a letter S to show the position where the
asteroid is travelling the slowest.
On the path of the asteroid, draw a letter F to show the position where the
asteroid is travelling the fastest.
1 mark
(ii) Explain why the speed of the asteroid changes.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
1 mark
maximum 7 marks
Q4.
The table shows information about three planets in our solar system.
time taken to orbit the

planet
Sun (Earth-years)
Mars 2.0
Venus 0.6
Earth 1.0
(a) Give one reason why Venus takes less time than Earth to orbit the Sun.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) The diagram below shows the orbits of Venus and Earth.
The Sun is a source of light. Venus does not produce its own light.
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not to scale
On the diagram above, draw rays of light to show how Venus can be seen from
Earth. Use a ruler.
1 mark
Draw an arrow on each ray to show the direction of light.

1 mark
(c) The diagram below shows how the astronomer Ptolemy drew the solar system
2000 years ago.
not to scale
(i) The planets Uranus and Neptune are missing from his diagram.
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Suggest why Ptolemy did not include these planets in his diagram.
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Today we know the correct arrangement of the planets in our solar system.
Give one way the diagram above is incorrect.

Complete the sentence below.
In the correct arrangement ...................................................................
...............................................................................................................
1 mark
maximum 5 marks
Q5.
The diagram below shows the Hubble telescope in orbit around the Earth.
not to scale
(a) Which force keeps the telescope in orbit around the Earth?
Tick the correct box.
air resistance friction
gravity magnetism
1 mark
(b) The Hubble telescope is a satellite used for looking at planets and stars.
Give one other use of satellites.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) Fill each of the gaps in the following sentences with a different word from the box
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below.
absorbs produces reflects
You can see the Sun because it .............................................. light.
You can see a satellite because it ........................................... light.

1 mark
(d) The bar chart shows the size of five planets compared to the size of Earth.
The planet Uranus is four times the size of Earth.

On the chart above, draw a bar for the planet Uranus.
1 mark
(e) (i) Arrange the following in order of size, starting with the smallest.
Sun Hubble telescope Earth
....................................... ...................................... ......................................

smallest largest
1 mark
(ii) Some stars are bigger than the Sun but they look smaller.
Why do they look smaller than the Sun?
1 mark
maximum 6 marks
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Q6.
(a) The diagram below shows part of the solar system.
Look at the diagram.

Give the names of X and Y.
X..............................................
Y..............................................
2 marks
(b) It takes Jupiter much longer than Mars to complete one orbit.
Give two reasons for this.
1 ......................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
2 ......................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
2 marks
(c) The diagram also shows the orbit of a comet.
In 1531, 1607 and 1683 scientists recorded that had seen a comet in the sky.
(i) Edmund Halley looked at these dates and suggested the scientists had all
seen the same comet.
Explain how he worked out that it was the same comet each time.
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................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) The comet was last seen in 1986.
Predict when it will be seen next.
................................................................................................................
1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q7.
(a) Sita made a model of three parts of the solar system, the Sun, Earth and Moon.
She used a marble, a torch and a tennis ball.
Draw a line from each part of the solar system to the object she used.
Draw only three lines.
2 marks
(b) The table below shows the order of some of the planets in our solar system.
Complete the table to show the positions of the Earth, Neptune and the Sun.
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Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus
2 marks
(c) The diagram shows a satellite in orbit around the Earth.
not to scale
(i) Give one use of a satellite.
...................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................
(ii) Which force keeps the satellite in orbit around the Earth?
gravity friction
air resistance magnetism

2 marks
maximum 6 marks
Q8.
Each of the observations shown below has one explanation.
Draw a line from each observation to the correct explanation.
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maximum 4 marks
Q9.
The drawings show the mass and weight of four objects on different planets.
(a) On which of the four planets is the object with the largest mass?
.............................................................
1 mark
(b) How can you tell, from the drawings, that gravity is greater on Earth than on
Venus?
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
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1 mark
(c) Gravity is less on the Moon than on the Earth.
Complete the sentences below to compare the weight and mass of an astronaut
on the Moon and on the Earth.
The weight of an astronaut on the Moon is ................................. the weight of

an astronaut on the Earth.
1 mark
The mass of an astronaut on the Moon is ................................. the mass of the

astronaut on the Earth.
1 mark
(d) The table below gives information about five planets.
planet distance from the time for planet to orbit

Sun (million km) the Sun (Earth-years)
Venus 110 0.6
Earth 150 1.0
Mars 230
Jupiter 780 12.0
Saturn 1400 30.0
(i) Look at the information in the table.
How does the time for a planet to orbit the Sun change with its distance
from the Sun?
...............................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Use information in the table to estimate the time for Mars to orbit the Sun.
............. Earth-years
1 mark
(e) The diagram below shows the path of a comet around the Sun.
On the path of the comet below, place a letter X to show the position where
the comet is travelling the fastest.
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not to scale
1 mark
maximum 7 marks
Q10.
(a) In 2002 a large asteroid was discovered orbiting the Sun.
It was named Quaoar.
The diagram below shows Quaoar in four positions in its orbit.
not to scale
(i) In which of the four positions, A, B, C or D, is the effect of the Sun’s

gravity on Quaoar the greatest?
..............
Explain your answer.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) On the diagram above, draw arrows to show the direction of the
Sun’s gravity on Quaoar in each of the positions A, B, C and D.
1 mark
(iii) At which position, A, B, C or D, is Quaoar travelling most slowly?
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.............
Explain your answer.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) The table below gives information about three of the planets in our
solar system.
average distance time for one Average surface

planet from Sun orbit temperature of planet
(millions of km) (Earth years) (ºC)
Saturn 1427 30 –180
Uranus 2870 84 –210
Pluto 5900 248 –230
(i) The time for one orbit of the planet Neptune is 165 Earth years.
Estimate the average distance of Neptune from the Sun.

Use information in the table to help you.
......................... millions of km
1 mark
(ii) How does the surface temperature of these planets vary with
distance from the Sun?
Use information in the table to help you.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(iii) Explain why the temperature varies with distance from the Sun in
this way.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
maximum 6 marks
Q11.
(a) Alfie made a model of part of the solar system.
He used metal balls for the Sun, the Moon and the planets.
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• E goes around D.
• B, C, D, F and G go around A.
Give the letter that is used to label:
(i) the model Sun;
..............
1 mark
(ii) the model Earth;
..............
1 mark
(iii) the model Moon;
..............
1 mark
(iv) the model planet with the largest orbit.
..............
1 mark
(b) The bar chart shows the force of gravity on eight of the planets.
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(i) The gravity on Neptune is 12 N/kg.
On the chart above, draw a bar for the planet Neptune.

Use a ruler.
1 mark
(ii) Give the name of a planet where you would weigh more than you weigh on
Earth.
................................................................
1 mark
(iii) On which planet would a spaceship need the largest force to take off?
................................................................
1 mark
maximum 7 marks
Q12.
The diagram below shows the Earth, the Sun, the Moon and an artificial satellite.
Page 17 of 90
(a) Which letters, on the diagram, show the Earth, the Sun and the Moon?
the Earth ....................
the Sun ....................
the Moon ....................

2 marks
(b) Give one use of a satellite.
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) Which of the following is a source of light?

the Earth the Moon
the Sun a satellite

1 mark
(d) The curve shows the path of the Sun in the sky from sunrise to sunset in England
one day in summer.
(i) On the curve, mark the position of the Sun at 9.00 am.
Label this point A.
1 mark
(ii) The Sun seemed to move from point B to point C.

How many hours did this take?
2 hours 6 hours
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4 hours 8 hours
1 mark
(e) On the diagram above, draw the path of the Sun from sunrise to sunset on a day in
winter.
1 mark
maximum 7 marks
Q13.
Until 1781 scientists thought there were only six planets in the solar system. Then a
scientist called Herschel looked through a very large telescope that could turn to follow
objects in space. He watched a bright object in the night sky for a few months and made
drawings of what he saw. He concluded it was a planet.
(a) What method did Herschel use to discover the new planet?
He carried out practical He asked scientists’

tests in the laboratory. opinions.
He observed the He gathered data

environment. from books.
1 mark
(b) Scientists today use satellites as well as telescopes to observe the universe.
Suggest one way that developments in equipment have changed the information
scientists collect about planets.
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.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) Before 1781, scientists believed there were 6 planets in our solar system. Now
scientists believe there are 10 planets.
What do these ideas suggest about our knowledge of our solar system?
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(d) What causes scientists to reject an idea and replace it with a new one?
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
maximum 4 marks
Q14.
Some children watched an eclipse of the Sun.
During the eclipse, the Moon passed between the Sun and the Earth.
It blocked out sunlight.
(a) Amrik watched the eclipse. He knew that the Sun is much bigger than the Moon but
they looked about the same size.
Why did they look the same size? Tick the correct box.
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The Moon is nearer to the Earth than
the Sun is.
The Sun is nearer to the Earth than

the Moon is.
The Sun goes round the Earth faster

than the Moon does.
The Moon goes round the Sun faster

than the Earth does.
1 mark
(b) Amrik's class measured the light level during the eclipse.
The graph below shows their results.
(i) At what time did the Moon block out most of the Sun's light?
Use the graph to help you.
.................................... am
1 mark
(ii) What happened to the air temperature during the eclipse?
..............................................................................................................
Give the reason for your answer.
..............................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 3 marks
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Q15.
The diagram below shows the orbits of Neptune, Pluto and the Earth.
At two points, A and B, the orbits of Neptune and Pluto cross over each other.
not to scale
(a) What force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?
...................................................................
1 mark
(b) Give two reasons why it takes Pluto more time than Neptune to orbit the Sun.
1. ................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
2. ................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
2 marks
(c) (i) Tom can see the Sun because it is a light source. It gives out its own light.
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Neptune and Pluto are not light sources but Tom can see them when he looks
through his telescope.
Explain why Tom can see Neptune and Pluto even though they are not light
sources.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
2 marks
(ii) Between points A and B, Pluto is nearer than Neptune to the Earth.
Tom noticed that Pluto is not as bright as Neptune, even when Pluto is closer
than Neptune to the Earth.
Give one reason why Pluto is not as bright as Neptune.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 6 marks
Q16.
Lisa drew a picture of herself standing at four different positions on the Earth,
not to scale
(a) (i) Draw an arrow at each of the four positions to show the direction of the force
of gravity on Lisa.
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1 mark
(ii) The drawing at position A shows Lisa holding a ball on a string.

Draw the ball and string in positions B, C and D.
1 mark
(b) The drawing below shows:
• that the Earth goes round the Sun;

• that the Earth rotates on its axis.
Choose from the list below to answer parts (i) and (ii).
60 seconds 60 minutes 24 hours 7 days 28 days 365 days
(i) How long does it take for the Earth to go round the Sun once?
...................................................................
1 mark
(ii) How long does it take for the Earth to rotate on its axis once?
...................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 4 marks
Q17.
The table shows the time taken for the Earth, Mars and Venus to orbit the Sun.
planet time taken to orbit the

Sun, in Earth years
Earth 1.0
Mars 1.9
Venus 0.6
The diagram shows the orbits of the Earth, Mars and Venus round the Sun, at one
particular time. The arrows show the direction in which the planets move.
Page 24 of 90
not to scale
At the time shown in the diagram, the three planets were lined up with the Sun.
(a) Show the position of the Earth three months after the planets were lined up, by
marking a point on the Earth’s orbit.
Label the point E.
1 mark
(b) (i) Show the approximate position of Mars three Earth months after the planets
were lined up, by marking a point on Mars’s orbit.
Label the point M.
1 mark
(ii) Explain why Mars is in this position.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) (i) Show the approximate position of Venus three Earth months after the planets
were lined up, by marking a point on Venus’s orbit.
Label the point V.
1 mark
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(ii) Explain why Venus is in this position.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q18.
In 1610, the Italian scientist, Galileo, observed four bright moons near Jupiter.
Each night the moons moved.
(a) (i) The Sun and stars are light sources, and the planets are seen by reflected
light. Explain how we can see the moons of Jupiter.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
2 marks
(ii) The four moons are approximately the same distance from the Earth.
However, they do not have the same brightness.
Suggest one reason for this.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) The table shows the distances of the four moons from the centre of Jupiter, and the
times of their orbits. Europa’s distance has been left out.
name of distance from time for one

moon Jupiter, in orbit, in
millions of km Earth days
o 0.42 1.8
Europa 3.6
Ganymede 1.07 7.2
Callisto 1.88 16.7
The graph was plotted using the information in the table.
Page 26 of 90
Use the graph to estimate Europa’s distance from Jupiter.
............................................................................................ millions of km
1 mark
(c) Galileo realised that Jupiter and its moons formed a model of our Solar System. In
this model:
what did Jupiter represent? .........................................................................
what did the moons represent? ...................................................................

1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q19.
The diagram shows the Earth in two positions in its orbit round the Sun, one day apart.
The diagram is not to scale.
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At position A, the Sun is vertically above the point P on the Earth. At position B, the Earth
has rotated a full 360° on its axis. It has to rotate a little further before the Sun is again
vertically above point P.
(a) The diagram is not drawn to scale, and the angle x has been drawn too large.
Through what angle x, to the nearest degree, does the Earth move in its orbit in one
day?
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) For the Sun to be in the same place in the sky (vertically above point P) the Earth
has to rotate (360 + x)°. This takes exactly 24 hours.
How long does it take for the Earth to rotate through 360°? Give the unit.
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) One year is approximately 365.25 Earth days.

Calculate how many times the Earth actually rotates during one year.
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 3 marks
Q20.
The Sun seems to move across the sky. The diagram shows part of the path of the
Sun one day in winter in Britain.
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(a) When the Sun is in the position shown in the diagram, what time is it?
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) On the diagram above draw another line to show the path of the Sun across
the sky in the summer.
1 mark
(c) The drawing below shows a sunflower plant at 8 o’clock in the morning, at
12 noon, and at 4 o’clock in the afternoon on a summer’s day.
The sunflower plant bends towards the East in the morning and the West in the
afternoon.
Explain why it does this.
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(d) The drawing shows greenflies and ladybirds on a sunflower stalk.
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Look at the food chain.
sunflower → greenfly → ladybird → bird

(i) What is the producer in this food chain?
1 mark
(ii) Which two living things in the food chain are predators?
..................................... and ....................................

1 mark
(iii) Why do sunflowers grow better if there are lots of ladybirds in the garden?
................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 6 marks
Q21.
The diagram shows the orbits of the Earth, Mars and Venus.
The position of the Earth is shown.
not to scale
A person on the Earth observes Mars and Venus.
(a) (i) On the diagram above, draw two more dots to show the positions of Mars
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and Venus when they are closest to the Earth.
Label the dot for Mars with a letter M and the dot for Venus with a letter V.
1 mark
(ii) Why is it easiest to see Mars when it is closest to the Earth?
……………..……………………………….…………………..……….……
……………..……………………………….…………………..……….……
1 mark
(b) What force keeps the Earth in its orbit and stops it flying off into space?
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
1 mark
(c) From the Earth, the Moon always looks approximately the same size.
What can you conclude from this about the orbit of the Moon around the Earth?
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
1 mark
(d) The diagram shows the Earth in its orbit around the Sun.
not to scale
What season is it in Britain? Explain your answer.
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
……………..……………………………….…………………..……………………
2 marks
Maximum 6 marks
Q22.
The diagram shows the Sun and the orbits of the five inner planets.
The distances (but not the sizes of the Sun and Jupiter) are to scale.
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(a) On the diagram, draw a dot to show the Earth’s position when Earth and Jupiter
are moving parallel to each other and in the same direction.
Label the dot E.
1 mark
(b) As Jupiter moves in its orbit, it appears to move across the pattern of stars in the
background.
When Jupiter and the Earth are moving parallel to each other, Jupiter appears to
move backwards across the pattern of stars. Explain why.
……….………………………………………………………………………………
……….………………………………………………………………………………
1 mark
(c) The light from the Sun takes about 8.3 minutes to reach the Earth.
Using the diagram above, estimate how long it takes for light to travel from Jupiter
to the Earth when they are the shortest possible distance apart. Show your working.
……….………………………………………………………………………………
……….………………………………………………………………………………
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……….………………………………………………………………………………
2 marks
Maximum 4 marks
Q23.
The table below gives information about the planets of the Solar System.
They are listed in alphabetical order.
average time for time for temperature on

planet distance from diameter one orbit one rotation surface of
the Sun in in km round the on its axis planet in °C
million km Sun in hours
Earth 150 13 000 365 days 24 +22
Jupiter 780 140 000 12 years 9.8 –150
Mars 230 6800 687 days 25 –23
Mercury 58 4900 88 days 1400 +350
Neptune 4500 51 000 165 years 16 –220
Pluto 5900 2300 248 years 150 –220
Saturn 1400 120 000 29 years 10.2 –180
Uranus 2900 51 000 84 years 17 –210
Venus 110 12 000 225 days 5800 +480
(Data obtained from The Guinness Book of Astronomy, Patrick Moore; published by Guinness 1992)
(a) Explain why Neptune and Pluto are the coldest planets.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) Explain why there could be no liquid water on the surface of:
(i) Mars ...................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Venus .................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) On which planet would the time between sunrise and sunset be shortest?
..................................................................……
1 mark
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(d) Which planet has the shortest year?’
1 mark
..................................................................……
(e) Give the name of the force which keeps the planets in their orbits.
..................................................................……
1 mark
Maximum 6 marks
Q24.
(a) The diagram shows a map of the world.
The shaded areas show where it is night-time at one moment in the year.
(i) At the time shown on the map, what season is it in Britain?

Give a reason for your answer.
............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) At the time shown on the map, approximately what is the time in Britain?
............................................……........................
1 mark
(b) The map below shows a different pattern of night and day.
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The pattern of night and day shown on the map occurs in only two months of the
year. Which months are these?
1. ........................................................................................
2. ........................................................................................
2 marks
Maximum 4 marks
Q25.
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun.
not to scale
(a) Name one planet which is closer than Mars to the Sun.
.....................................................................
1 mark
(b) A day and night on Mars lasts nearly 25 Earth hours. Explain why there is
daytime and night-time on Mars.
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......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) Like Earth, Mars has summers and winters.

Suggest why there are seasons on Mars.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 3 marks
Q26.
On 11th August 1999 there will be an eclipse. The shadow of the Moon will pass over part
of the Earth.
(a) The diagram below shows the Moon, the Moon’s shadow and the Earth.
not to scale
On the diagram, draw an arrow pointing towards where the Sun must be.
1 mark
(b) At about midday the Moon’s shadow will pass over Cornwall in England.
Where, in the sky, is the Sun at midday?
towards the North
towards the West
towards the East
towards the South

1 mark
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(c) The map shows the shape of the Moon’s shadow and the path it will take
across Cornwall.
The Moon’s shadow will take about 2 minutes to move across a house in Falmouth.
It will take less than 2 minutes to move across a house in Padstow.
Explain why it will take less time for the Moon’s shadow to move across a
house in Padstow than to move across one in Falmouth.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(d) Why does the Moon’s shadow move over the surface of the Earth?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 4 marks
Q27.
In our Solar System, Pluto is usually the furthest planet from the Sun.
The shape of its orbit is not quite a circle. The diagram shows the shape of Pluto’s orbit
and the position of the Sun.
Page 37 of 90
(a) Describe how the gravitational force of the Sun, acting on Pluto, alters as
Pluto moves round its orbit through points A, B, C and D.
Give reasons for your answers.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
3 marks
(b) At which point, A, B, C or D, will Pluto have:
(i) the most potential energy? Explain your answer.
................... because ..........................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) the most kinetic energy? Explain your answer.
................... because ..........................................................................
Page 38 of 90
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q28.
The diagram shows the Earth in orbit around the Sun.
(a) (i) Give the name of one planet in the Solar System which is closer to the Sun
than the Earth is.
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Give the name of one planet in the Solar System which is further away from
the Sun than the Earth is.
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) Night-time is when Britain is in the Earth's shadow. Daytime is when Britain is in
sunlight. Explain why Britain has both day and night.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) (i) On the diagram, draw the position of the Earth nine months later than shown.
1 mark
(ii) Explain why you have drawn the Earth in this position.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q29.
Satellites can sometimes be seen in the night sky. They look like stars slowly moving
across the sky.
(a) We can see stars because they are light sources. They give out their own light.
Satellites do not give out their own light. Explain why satellites can be seen in the
clear night sky.
Page 39 of 90
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2 marks
(b) Sometimes a satellite suddenly stops being visible. However, you can usually see it
again in another part of the sky later the same night. This can happen when there
are no clouds in the sky and the satellite is overhead.
Why does the satellite suddenly stop being visible?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) Give one use of satellites in orbit around the Earth.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 4 marks
Q30.
The diagram shows the Earth’s orbit. The Earth is shown in two positions six months
apart. In one of the positions it is midsummer in Britain, and in the other positions it is
midwinter.
(a) Estimate what time of the day it is in Britain when the Earth is in position B, and
explain your answer.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) The Earth has rotated exactly 183 times on its axis as it moved between the two
positions shown.
(i) Explain how you can tell from the diagram that the Earth has rotated a whole
number of times.
Page 40 of 90
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Explain how you can tell from the diagram that the time of day in Britain is
different in the two positions.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(iii) While the Earth has rotated exactly 183 times, only 182.5 days have passed.
Calculate the exact time taken for each rotation of the Earth on its axis.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) The Moon orbits the Earth approximately once each month. However, only one face
of the Moon is ever visible from the Earth.
(i) Explain why we always see the same face of the Moon.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Suggest how long in Earth days the period from sunrise to sunrise will be at a
point on the Moon’s surface.
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 6 marks
Q31.
David lives in Britain. He sees that the Sun seems to move across the sky.
(a) Where does the Sun rise in the morning?

in the north in the south
in the west in the east

1 mark
(b) (i) At what time of day is the Sun highest in the sky?
............................................................................................................
1 mark
Page 41 of 90
(ii) In which direction will David see the Sun when it is highest in the sky?
towards the north towards the south
towards the west towards the east

1 mark
(c) Where does the Sun set in the evening?

in the north in the south
in the west in the east

1 mark
(d) Explain why the Sun seems to move across the sky.
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(e) Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes to get to the Earth.
How long does light from other stars take to get to the Earth?
more than 8 minutes
8 minutes
less than 8 minutes
zero minutes
1 mark
Maximum 6 marks
Q32.
The graph below gives information about some of the planets in the Solar System.
Page 42 of 90
(a) Planet A is shown on the graph above.
The orbit of planet A is between Saturn and Mars.
What is the name of planet A?
....................................................................................................................
1 mark
(b) Part of the graph opposite is shown in more detail below.
(i) Use a dot ( ) to mark the position of the Earth carefully on the graph above.
Label the dot ‘Earth’. Explain why you put the dot at this position.
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
2 marks
(ii) On the same graph, mark with a cross (x) the approximate position of Venus
and label it ‘Venus’.
1 mark
(c) Asteroids orbit the Sun just like the planets. Information about five asteroids is given
in the table below.
Page 43 of 90
Which asteroid is the greatest distance from the Sun? Give the reason for
your answer.
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 5 marks
Q33.
Regulus is a bright star in the constellation Leo. In February, an astronomer visited a
country close to the equator. While she was there she observed Regulus.
(a) During the night, Regulus appeared to move across the sky.
(i) Why do stars appear to move across the sky?
..........................................................................................................
1 mark
(ii) Choose from the words below to complete the sentence.
north east south west
Regulus appeared to move across the sky from
................................................ to ....................................................
1 mark
(b) The diagram below shows the position of the Earth and the Sun when the
astronomer made her observations. She noticed that Regulus was directly overhead
at midnight. On the diagram, draw an arrow from the Earth to show the direction in
which she looked to see Regulus.
1 mark
(c) Six months later, in August, Regulus cannot be seen at any time.
Explain why.
Page 44 of 90
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
1 mark
Maximum 4 marks
Q34.
The Sun appears to move across the sky each day.
The drawing shows the position of the Sun at mid-day on the 21st March.
(a) (i) Draw the path which the Sun appears to take from sunrise to sunset on the
21st March. Label the path ‘March’.
1 mark
(ii) Put an arrow on the line you have drawn to show the direction in which the
Sun appears to move across the sky.
1 mark
(b) Draw another line to show the path which the Sun appears to take from sunrise
to sunset in December. Label the path ‘December’.
2 marks
Maximum 4 marks
Q35.
The diagram shows the orbits of the Earth, Venus and Jupiter around the Sun.
They are not to scale.
Page 45 of 90
(a) Where is the orbit of Mars?
It is between the Sun and the orbit of Venus.
It is between the orbit of Venus and the orbit of Earth.
It is between the orbit of Earth and the orbit of Jupiter.
It is outside the orbit of Jupiter.
1 mark
Venus and Jupiter can be seen from the Earth.
(b) Sometimes Venus appears to be larger than at other times.
(i) On the diagram, draw the position of Venus where it appears to be largest.
Label it V.
1 mark
(ii) Why does the size of Venus appear to change?
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(c) Even on clear nights, Jupiter sometimes appears to be slightly brighter than at other
times.
(i) On the diagram, draw the position of Jupiter where it appears to be brightest.
Page 46 of 90
Label it J.
1 mark
(ii) Why does the brightness of Jupiter appear to change?
.............................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................
1 mark
(d) Give two reasons why less light is reflected from Jupiter to the Earth than from
Venus to the Earth.
1. ..................................................................................................................
2. ..................................................................................................................
2 marks
Maximum 7 marks
Page 47 of 90
Mark schemes
Q1.
(a)
for all four numbers in the correct place, award two marks
for any two or three numbers in the correct place, award
one mark
2 (L5)
(b) any one from

• 21st August
• 22nd August
• 23rd August
accept dates written in another format
1 (L5)
• 2017
1 (L5)
[4]
Q2.
(a) (i) it orbits the Sun
accept ‘it goes round the Sun’
‘it has an orbit’ is insufficient
1 (L5)
(ii) any one from
• it is not in the same plane as the other planets
• the orbit is out of line or at a different angle

accept ‘it is not in line with the others’
‘it has a different orbit’ is insufficient
accept ‘the orbit or it is tilted’
do not accept ‘it is too small’
as this is not shown in the diagram
1 (L6)
(b) any one from
• it has the smallest diameter

accept ‘it is too small’
‘it is very small’ is insufficient
Page 48 of 90
• all the other planets are bigger
1 (L6)
(c) any one from
• Charon is a moon or satellite

accept ‘it is a moon’
• other planets have moons

accept ‘the Earth or Saturn has a moon’
‘Charon orbits Pluto’ is insufficient
accept ‘moons do not orbit other moons’
accept ‘other planets have objects orbiting them’
1 (L6)
(d) any one from
• both planets and moons have atmospheres

accept ‘Venus has an atmosphere and Mercury does not’
• whether or not it has an atmosphere does not make it a planet
• there is no pattern in the atmospheres

accept ‘Earth’s moon does not have an atmosphere and
Titan does’
• some planets do not have atmospheres

accept ‘Titan has an atmosphere and so does Neptune’
1 (L6)
(e) any one from
• scientists cannot decide on what a planet is
• if Pluto is a planet there could be more planets orbiting our Sun or

in our solar system
• there is evidence for and against Pluto being a planet

accept specific arguments for and against
e.g. ‘it goes around the Sun but it is too small’
‘there are reasons for and against’ is insufficient
‘it has an atmosphere like the Moon but orbits
the Sun’ is insufficient as atmosphere is not
sufficient to classify moons or planets
1 (L6)
[6]
Q3.
(a)
Page 49 of 90
for all four correct, award two marks
for any two or three correct, award one mark
accept a cross drawn that lies within the width
of the Sun for each planet, e.g.
2 (L7)
(b) • 42
accept ‘150-108’
1 (L7)
• 258
accept ‘150+108’
1 (L7)
(c) 500
accept or
accept ‘8.3 minutes’
accept ‘about 8 minutes’
Page 50 of 90
1 (L7)
(d) (i)
both answers are required for the mark

accept an answer within the dotted lines
at either end of the ellipse
1 (L7)
(ii) attracted by the Sun’s gravity

accept ‘increased gravity near to Sun’
1 (L7)
[7]
Q4.
(a) any one from
a comparative statement is needed
• Venus is nearer to the Sun

‘it is closer’ is insufficient
• the Sun’s gravity on Venus is greater
• it travels faster
• it has a smaller orbit

accept ‘it does not have as far to go’
1 (L5)
(b) • a straight line from the Sun to Venus and a straight

line from Venus to Earth
1 (L6)
• arrows drawn on both rays in the correct direction
Page 51 of 90
accept two discontinuous straight lines that touch the Sun,
Venus and the Earth
do not accept a line from the Sun which touches the Earth
1 (L6)
(c) (i) any one from
• they had not been discovered

accept ‘he did not know they existed’
• they had not been seen

accept ‘they could not be seen’
do not accept ‘they did not exist’
‘they are too far away’ is insufficient
1 (L5)
(ii) any one from
• the Earth is not at the centre

answers must refer to the arrangement
and not to missing planets
• the planets do not go round the Earth

or the planets orbit the Sun
• the Earth goes round the Sun
• the Sun is in the middle

accept answers which give the correct order
of the planets in the solar system
‘there are more planets’ is insufficient
1 (L6)
[5]
Q5.
(a) • gravity
if more than one box is ticked, award no mark
1 (L4)
(b) any one from
Page 52 of 90
• telecommunications
accept ‘communication’
• television or TV
• telephones
accept ‘phone’ or ‘fax’
• radio
• weather
• military or spy observations
• land use observations
• GPS
accept ‘navigation’
• internet
• monitoring or taking pictures of the Earth

‘looking at or taking pictures of planets or stars
or galaxies’ is insufficient as it is given in the question
1 (L4)
(c) • produces
reflects
answers must be in the correct order
1 (L4)
(d) • a bar drawn to 4

1 (L4)
(e) (i) • Hubble telescope Earth Sun

accept ‘Hubble’ or ‘telescope’ for Hubble telescope
all three answers are required for the mark
1 (L3)
(ii) • They are further away than the Sun

1 (L3)
[6]
Q6.
(a) • X: the Sun
1 (L5)
• Y: Mercury
1
(b) any two from
• it has a longer orbit
Page 53 of 90
• it is further from the Sun
• the Sun’s gravity is less
• it is slower
accept ‘it has a bigger orbit’
accept ‘it has a greater distance to cover’
accept ‘it is further out’
accept ‘Mars is closer to the Sun’
accept ‘there is a smaller gravitational pull on it’
‘it is further away’ or ‘it is further’ are insufficient
2 (L6)
• the orbit times were the same
• it came at regular intervals
• they saw it every 76 years

accept ‘he took 1531 from 1607 and 1607 from 1683’
1 (L6)
(ii) • 2062
1 (L5)
[6]
Q7.
(a) •
if all three lines are correct, award two marks

if one or two lines are correct, award one mark
if more than one line is drawn from any part of the
solar system, award no credit for that part
2 (L3)
(b) •
Page 54 of 90
Sun Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune
award one mark for the Sun in the correct position

award one mark for both Earth and Neptune in the
correct positions
2 (L3)
• weather forecasting
accept ‘weather’
• communications
accept ‘phone’ or ‘fax’
• telescopes
• global positioning system

accept ‘GPS’
• TV
• spying
accept ‘taking photographs’
• internet
1 (L4)
(ii) • gravity
1 (L4)
[6]
Q8.
Page 55 of 90
if more than one line is drawn from an observation,
award no mark for that observation
4 (L5)
[4]
Q9.
(a) Mars
accept ‘6 kg’
do not accept ‘24 N’
1 (L5)
(b) any one from
• 4 kg weighs more on Earth

accept the converse
‘different weights’ is insufficient
• the weight of the object is greater on Earth

accept the converse
accept ‘Earth is 40 N and Venus is 36 N’
accept ‘Earth is 40 and Venus is 36’
accept ‘more newtons on Earth’ or ‘less newtons on Venus’
accept ‘there is a greater force on Earth’
do not accept ‘it has more mass on the Earth’
1 (L5)
(c)
Page 56 of 90
• less (than) or smaller (than) or lower (than)
1 (L6)
• the same (as) or equal (to)

1 (L6)
(d) (i) • the greater the distance

accept ‘it increases’ the greater the time for one orbit
1 (L5)
(ii) • an answer from 1.6 to 6 inclusive

1 (L6)
(e)
award a mark for X marked on the orbit within the

tolerances shown
1 (L6)
[7]
Q10.
(a) (i) C - it is the closest to the Sun
accept ‘it is closer or close’
both the letter and the correct explanation
are required for the mark
1 (L5)
(ii) an arrow from each of the points A, B, C and D towards the Sun
all four arrows are required for the mark
1 (L5)
(iii) A
it is furthest from the Sun or the effect of the

Sun’s gravity is weakest
accept ‘it is further or far away’
accept ‘gravity is low or lower’
both the letter and the correct explanation
are required for the mark
1 (L6)
(b) (i) a number greater than 2870 and smaller than 5900
1 (L5)
(ii) the further away the lower the temperature

accept the converse
accept ‘the further away the colder it is’
1 (L5)
(iii) any one from
Page 57 of 90
• planets further away receive less energy or heat
accept ‘light’ for energy
do not accept ‘the Sun’s heat cannot reach heat
planets that are far away’
• energy from the Sun spreads out

accept ‘the Sun’s rays are weaker or not as strong’
‘the Sun is weaker’ is insufficient
• less heat reaches the planets that are further away

1 (L6)
[6]
Q11.
(a) (i) A
1 (L3)
(ii) D
1 (L3)
(iii) E
1 (L4)
(iv) G
accept ‘Jupiter’
1 (L4)
(b) (i) a bar drawn to 12 N/kg

the top of the bar must be in the middle third between
10 and 15
1 (L4)
(ii) any one from
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Neptune
1 (L4)
(iii) Jupiter
1 (L4)
[7]
Q12.
(a) • Earth: B
• Sun: A
• Moon: C
if all three answers are correct, award two marks
if one or two answers are correct, award one mark
2 (L3)
(b) any one from
Page 58 of 90
accept ‘to look at the weather’
• communications
accept ‘telephone’ or ‘internet’
• television or TV
• spying
• space telescope
accept ‘Hubble telescope’
accept ‘to find out more about the universe’
• global positioning system or GPS

accept ‘navigation’
accept ‘monitoring the Earth’
accept ‘searching for meteors or comets’
1 (L4)
(c) the Sun

1 (L3)
(d) (i) point A marked halfway between 5.00 am and 1.00 pm
accept any point within the tolerances shown

1 (L4)
(ii) 4 hours
1 (L4)
(e) a curve below the printed line at all points
ignore arrows
the line must start and finish on the horizon
do not accept a curve which begins or finishes
at the same points as the existing curve
1 (L4)
[7]
Q13.
(a) He observed the environment.
Page 59 of 90
1 (L5)
(b) any one from
• data from further away can be collected

accept ‘equipment can land on the planet’
• data from fainter objects or smaller details can be collected
• data is clearer because there is no atmospheric distortion

accept ‘telescopes can be sited outside Earth’s atmosphere’
• more information is collected
• more detailed or more accurate information
• wider spectrum of information including photographs

or pictures of planet
• other radiation can be detected

a mark may be awarded for a description of a specific way
information is different or a description of a specific way
previous limitations are reduced
1 (L6)
(c) any one from
• our knowledge is increasing about the solar system’

accept ‘we probably do not know everything
• our knowledge is changing

1 (L6)
(d) any one from
• new evidence which challenges ideas may be collected

accept ‘more observations’
accept ‘new evidence’
• there might be a new way of thinking about how the facts fit
together
• new interpretations of evidence
• old ideas do not explain the observation

accept ‘old ideas do not work or fit data’
1 (L6)
[4]
Q14.
(a) The Moon is nearer to the
Earth than the Sun is
1 (L4)
(b) (i) 11.16
Page 60 of 90
accept any number from 11.15 to 11.17
1 (L3)
(ii) it decreased or went down
because the Moon blocked the Sun’s heat or rays or radiation

accept ‘there was no sunlight to give heat’
accept ‘there was no Sun to make it warm’
accept ‘there was no heat from the Sun’
accept ‘there was no Sun’
both the answer and the reason are required for the mark
do not accept ‘it blocked the Sun’s light’
1 (L4)
[3]
Q15.
(a) gravitational pull of the Sun or the Sun’s gravity
accept ‘gravity’
accept ‘weight’
1 (L5)
(b) any two from
• its average speed is lower

accept ‘its speed is slower’ or ‘it travels more slowly’
• for most of its orbit the Sun’s gravity is less

accept ‘the pull of the Sun is weaker’ or ‘gravity is less’
• its orbit is longer

accept ‘it travels further’ or ‘the orbit is bigger’
• for most of its orbit it is further from the Sun

accept ‘it is further from the Sun’ or ‘further away’
2 (L6)
(c) (i) light from the Sun

1 (L6)
reflects off Pluto and Neptune or the planets or them

accept for two marks ‘sunlight reflects off them’
award the second mark only for ‘the Sun reflects off the
planets’
1
(ii) any one from
• it is smaller
accept ‘it is small’
• it reflects less light
• it absorbs more light

accept ‘it is darker and smaller’
Page 61 of 90
do not accept ‘it is further away ( from the Earth) ‘
or ‘it is further from the Sun’
do not accept ‘it is darker’
1 (L6)
[6]
Q16.
(a) (i) four arrows, all towards the centre of the Earth
all four arrows, correctly drawn, are required for the mark
the arrows may be drawn outside the Earth
1 (L4)
(ii) ball hanging towards the centre of the Earth at B, C and D

all three positions, B, C and D, are required for the mark
1 (L4)
(b) (i) 365 days

accept ‘365’
1 (L3)
(ii) 24 hours
accept ‘24’
1 (L3)
[4]
Q17.
(a) a letter E to show that the Earth has travelled through 90° of its orbit
Page 62 of 90
the letter E must be on the Earth’s orbit
1 (L5)
(b) (i) a letter M to show that Mars has travelled through

less than 90° of its orbit
the letter M must be on the orbit of Mars
1 (L6)
(ii) any one from
• outer planets move more slowly
• it moves more slowly
• outer planets take longer to orbit
• Mars has a longer year

accept ‘the orbit of Mars is longer’
or ‘the outer planets have further to go’
accept ‘because Mars takes 1.9 Earth years to orbit the Sun’
1 (L6)
(c) (i) a letter V to show that Venus has travelled through more than 90°
of its orbit and less than 180°
the letter V must be on the orbit of Venus
1 (L6)
(ii) any one from
• inner planets move more quickly
• it moves more quickly
• inner planets take less time to orbit
• Venus has a shorter year

accept ‘the orbit of Venus is shorter’
or ‘the inner planets have less far to go’
accept ‘because Venus takes 0.6 Earth years to orbit the
Sun’
1 (L6)
[5]
Page 63 of 90
Q18.
(a) (i) any two from
• light from the Sun

do not accept ‘light from the Sun and stars’
• reflected from the moons’ surfaces

do not accept ‘the Sun reflects off the surface’
• travels from the moons to the eyes

accept ‘they reflect sunlight’ for both marks
2 (L6)
(ii) any one from
• they reflect different amounts of light

accept ‘they have different albedos’
accept ‘some are dark’ or ‘they are different colours’
• they are not the same size

accept ‘one could be partly in the shadow of Jupiter
or another moon’
1 (L7)
(b) 0.68
the unit is not required for the mark
accept answers from 0.65 to 0.70
1 (L7)
(c) the Sun

planets
1 (L6)
[5]
Q19.
(a) 1°
accept ‘1’ or ‘0.986’
accept any number between 0.9856 and 1.000
1
(b) 23.93 hours

accept any number between 23.9 and 23.935 hours
or 23 hours and 56 minutes
accept ‘ ’ for one mark

1
(c) 366.26 or 366.31 times

consequential marking applies if the time is less
than 24 hours in (b)
accept answers from 366.2 to 366.6 rotations
accept ‘366 times’
Page 64 of 90
1
[3]
Q20.
(a) 12 noon or midday
accept ‘12 o’clock’
accept answers between 11.30 and 12.30
1 (L4)
(b)
the whole of the curved path must be drawn above the

printed curve but the two lines need not be parallel
the highest point must be above the position of the
Sun in the diagram
do not accept a horizontal or U-shaped path
1 (L4)
(c) any one from
• that is where the Sun is
• it bends towards the Sun
• to get the most light

accept ‘to catch the Sun’s rays’
accept ‘to follow the Sun’
accept ‘the Sun is in the East in the morning
or in the West in the afternoon’
or ‘the Sun appears to move’
do not accept ‘the Sun moves’
do not accept ‘it faces the warmth of the Sun’
1 (L3)
(d) (i) sunflower

accept ‘the plant’ or ‘flower’
1 (L4)
(ii) ladybird and bird

answers may be in either order
1 (L4)
(iii) any one from
• ladybirds eat the greenflies
Page 65 of 90
accept ‘they eat greenflies’
• there are fewer greenflies to eat the sunflower

accept ‘there are less greenflies’
do not accept ‘greenflies damage the sunflower’
1 (L4)
[6]
Q21.
(a) (i) the dots for Mars, the Earth and Venus should be in a straight line,
the shortest possible distance apart
1 (L5)
(ii) any one from
• it is brightest
accept ‘it is brighter’
• it looks biggest or bigger

accept ‘it is bigger’
accept ‘you can see it at night’
1 (L5)
(b) gravity
1 (L5)
(c) any one from
• it is circular
• it is always the same distance from the Earth

1 (L6)
(d) winter
1 (L6)
any one from
• the Northern hemisphere is tilted away from

do not accept ‘the Earth is tilted the Sun away from the Sun’
Page 66 of 90
• Britain is in the part of the Earth which is tilted away from the Sun
• the Sun’s rays hit the Earth at more of an angle

accept ‘the Sun appears lower in the sky’ angle
accept ‘night is longer than day’
1 (L6)
[6]
Q22.
(a) dot in line with Jupiter and the Sun on the 3rd circle out, between
the Sun and Jupiter
both the correct circle and the correct position of the dot on
the circle are required for the mark the label E is not
required
1
(b) because the Earth is travelling faster than Jupiter

accept ‘because the Earth is travelling faster’
or ‘the Earth is overtaking’
accept ‘because Jupiter takes longer to orbit’
do not accept ‘because the stars are very far away’
1
(c) ratio of distances = 6.3 : 1.5

1
35 minutes
accept 6.2 – 6.4 and 1.4 – 1.6
accept a time between 30 and 40 minutes
accept ‘ ’ for one mark 1.5 the unit is required for the
mark
accept the correct time for both marks even if no working is
shown
1
[4]
Q23.
(a) they are furthest from the Sun
accept ‘they are further from the Sun’
or ‘they are furthest away’ or ‘Pluto is furthest from the Sun’
do not accept ‘they are far from the Sun’
1
(b) (i) it is below the freezing point of water

accept ‘it would freeze’ or ‘it is too cold’
1
(ii) it is above the boiling point of water

accept ‘it would boil’ or ‘it would evaporate’ or ‘it is too hot’
do not accept ‘it would dry up’ or ‘it is too close to the Sun’
1
Page 67 of 90
(c) Jupiter
1
(d) Mercury
1
(e) gravity
do not accept ‘weight’
1
[6]
Q24.
(a) (i) both the season and the reason are required for the mark
any one from
• winter, because it is dark at the North Pole
• winter, because the nights are longer than the days

accept ‘winter, because the nights are long’
or ’winter, because the days are short’
accept ‘winter, because most of the Northern Hemisphere is
dark’
or ‘winter, because the North Pole is tilted away from the
Sun’
1
(ii) noon or midday or 12.00

1
(b) Answers may be in either order
March
1
September
1
[4]
Q25.
(a) any one from
• Mercury
• Venus
• Earth
1 (L5)
(b) it rotates on its axis

accept ‘it spins’ or ‘it turns on its axis’
or ‘it rotates’ or ‘it turns’
accept ‘it spins as it goes round the Sun’
do not accept ‘it spins and it goes round the Sun’
do not accept ‘it goes round or moves round’
Page 68 of 90
1 (L5)
(c) its axis is tilted

accept ‘sometimes one pole is closer to the Sun and
sometimes the other is’ or ‘sometimes one pole is in daylight’
1 (L6)
[3]
Q26.
(a) horizontal arrow pointing to the left
the arrow may be drawn anywhere on the diagram
1 (L5)
(b) towards the South

1 (L5)
(c) any one from
• the part of the shadow which passes over Padstow is narrower
• the part of the shadow which passes over Falmouth is wider or bigger
1 (L5)
(d) any one from
• the Moon moves around the Earth
• the Earth spins on its axis

accept ‘the Earth turns or rotates or goes round’
do not accept ‘the Earth moves around the Sun ‘
or ‘the Earth moves’ or ‘the Sun moves’
1 (L5)
[4]
Q27.
(a) any three from
• the forces at points A and C are the same
• at point B Pluto is nearest so experiences the greatest force
• at point D Pluto is furthest so experiences the least force
• the direction of the force is always towards the Sun

accept ‘the gravitational force of the Sun is greatest
when Pluto is nearest’
accept ‘the gravitational force of the Sun is least
when Pluto is furthest away’
3
(b) (i) D, because it is furthest from the Sun

both the letter and the explanation are required for the mark
1
Page 69 of 90
(ii) any one from
both the letter and the explanation are required for the mark
• B, because the most potential energy has been converted to kinetic

energy
• B, because it has the least potential energy
• B, because it is moving fastest

accept ‘B, because it is closest to the Sun’
1
[5]
Q28.
(a) (i) any one from
• Mercury
• Venus
1 (L5)
(ii) any one from
• Mars
• Jupiter
• Saturn
• Uranus
• Neptune
• Pluto
1 (L5)
(b) any one from
• the Earth spins or turns or rotates

do not accept ‘the Earth rotates round the Sun’
• the Earth goes round on its axis

do not accept ‘the Earth goes round’
1 (L5)
(c) (i) the Earth is drawn on its orbit,

with its centre between the limits shown
1 (L5)
(ii) 9 months is ¾ of an orbit
Page 70 of 90
accept ‘9 months is ¾ of a year’ or ‘it takes 3 months
to go ¼ of an or bit’ accept ‘it takes one year to go all
the way round’ providing the Earth is drawn in the
correct position in part (i)
1 (L5)
[5]
Q29.
(a) they reflect or scatter light
accept ‘light reflects off it’ or ‘light reflects on it’
do not accept ‘light reflects onto it’
or ‘light shines on them’
1 (L5)
from the Sun

1 (L5)
(b) it goes into the shadow of the Earth

accept ‘it is eclipsed’ or ‘it is not in the sunlight’
or ‘it is no longer reflecting the sunlight’
accept ‘it goes into the shadow of the Moon’
or ‘it goes in front of the Moon’
do not accept ‘it goes behind the Moon’
or ‘the Moon gets in the way’
or ‘the satellite tumbles’
1 (L6)
(c) any one from
• navigation or position finding
• communications
accept ‘satellite TV’ or ‘TV’ or ‘telephone’ or ‘radio’
• astronomy or looking at the stars
• to take pictures of the Earth

accept ‘spying’ or ‘surveillance’ or ‘to see
changes in the environment or in land-use’
accept ‘for defence’ or ‘as weapons’
1 (L5)
[4]
Q30.
Both the time and the explanation are required for the mark
(a) a time between 3.30 pm and 6.00 pm or later afternoon or sunset or dusk
accept any time between 15.30 and 18.00 hours
because Britain is moving from the day side of the world to the night side
Page 71 of 90
accept as explanations ‘because Britain is going from
day to night or from light into darkness’
or ‘because it is nearly night-time’
or ‘because the Sun is in the West’
accept ‘because it is sunset or dusk’ as an explanation
provided that it is not also given as the time.
1
(b) (i) Britain is in the same position in both diagrams

do not accept ‘Britain is in the same position relative to
the Sun or to the sunlight’ or ‘from the position of Britain’
1
(ii) it is dusk in one position and dawn in the other

accept ‘it is morning in one diagram and evening in the other’
or ‘the Sun is shining from different sides’
accept ‘in position A it is dawn’ or any time between
3.30 am and 6.00 am
do not accept a restatement that it is dusk in position B
do not accept ‘it is light in one position and dark in the other’
or ‘Britain is spinning towards the Sun in A and away from it
in B’
1
(iii) 0.997 days

the unit is required for the mark
accept more decimal places
accept ‘182.5 × 24 ÷ 183 hours’
accept ‘23.9 hours’ or ‘23 hours 56 minutes’
1
(c) (i) the time for the Moon to rotate on its axis is equal to
the period of its orbit about the Earth
accept ‘it turns on its axis once during a complete
orbit of the Earth’
1
(ii) 27.3 days

accept ‘27 or 28 days’
1
[6]
Q31.
(a) in the east
1 (L4)
(b) (i) any one from
• 12.00 or twelve o’clock
• 1.00 or one o’clock or 13.00

to allow for variations between local time and GMT or BST
Page 72 of 90
• midday or noon
do not accept ‘lunch time’
1 (L4)
(ii) towards the south

1 (L4)
(c) in the west

1 (L4)
(d) any one from
• because the Earth rotates or spins

accept ‘because the Earth moves round
or goes round or spins and moves’
• because the Earth turns around its axis

do not accept ‘because the Earth moves’
or ‘because the Earth goes round the Sun’
1 (L4)
(e) more than 8 minutes

1 (L4)
[6]
Q32.
(a) Jupiter
1 (L5)
(b) (i) dot at (1,150)

the dot must be vertically above 1 year the label
Earth is not required for the mark
1 (L5)
the Earth takes 1 year to orbit the Sun

accept ‘it is 150 million km from the Sun’
1 (L5)
(ii) cross at (0.6, 110)

accept a cross on the curve between 75 and
125 million km from the Sun
the label Venus is not required for the mark
Page 73 of 90
1 (L5)
(c) Iris, because it takes longest

both the asteroid and the reason are required for the mark
do not accept ‘Iris because it’s 5.51’
1 (L5)
[5]
Q33.
(a) (i) because the Earth turns or spins or rotates
do not accept ‘because the Earth moves’
1 (L7)
(ii) east to west

both words are required for the mark
1 (L7)
(b) horizontal arrow pointing to the left
1 (L7)
(c) any one from
• it is behind the Sun

accept ‘it is the other side of the Sun’
• the Sun is in the way
• it is below the horizon all night

accept ‘the night side of the Earth faces the other way’
or ‘it is always on the day side of the Earth’
1 (L7)
[4]
Page 74 of 90
Q34.
(a) (i) path is drawn through the Sun, curving downwards at the East and West
the line need not touch the horizon at each side

do not accept a horizontal straight line
do not accept a curve which ends on the Sun
do not accept two straight lines as shown below
1 (L4)
(ii) arrow pointing from East to West

this mark may be awarded even if
no mark is awarded for part (i)
1 (L4)
(b) one mark is for the Sun’s path shown lower in the sky and
one mark is for the shape of the path
a path drawn below the pupil’s answer to part (a)(i) as shown below
this mark may be awarded even if
no mark is awarded for part (a)(i)
1 (L4)
the curve is reasonably parallel to the pupil’s answer to part (a)(i)

as shown below
do not accept straight lines or U shapes

or the December curve touching the Sun
accept the following for the first mark only
Page 75 of 90
1 (L4)
[4]
Q35.
(a) It is between the orbit of Earth and the orbit of Jupiter
accept the orbit drawn on the diagram provided
that is clearly labelled
1 (L5)
(b) (i) an indication of any point within the limits shown
the mid-point of the planet must lie within the limits shown
1 (L6)
(ii) because the distance between Venus and the Earth changes
accept ‘it gets closer’ or ‘it gets further away’
or ‘it is at different distances
1 (L6)
(c) (i) an indication of any point within the limits shown
the mid-point of the planet must lie within the limits shown
1 (L6)
(ii) because the distance between Jupiter and the earth changes
accept ‘because of the angle which Jupiter is seen from’
Page 76 of 90
or ‘it gets closer’ or ‘it gets further away’
or ‘it is at different distances
do not accept ‘because of the weather or air pollution
1 (L6)
(d) any two from
• Jupiter is further from the Sun or Venus is closer to the Sun

accept ‘Jupiter is further away’ or ‘Venus is nearer’
• Jupiter is further from the Earth or Venus is closer to the Earth

do not accept ‘it is closer or further away’
• Jupiter’s clouds are less reflective or Venus’s clouds are more reflective
accept ‘Jupiter absorbs more light’
or ‘Venus has a higher albedo’
2 (L6)
[7]
Page 77 of 90
Examiner reports
Q6.
Facility values
Tier 3-6 Tier 5-7
L3 L4 L5 L6 L5 L6 L7
a1 0.27 0.58 0.81 0.94 0.91 0.97 0.99
a2 0.01 0.12 0.37 0.67 0.50 0.74 0.96
b1 0.05 0.21 0.45 0.77 0.62 0.81 0.91
b2 0.08 0.16 0.31 0.47 0.35 0.52 0.62
ci 0.02 0.10 0.36 0.64 0.59 0.75 0.86
cii 0.00 0.09 0.31 0.61 0.49 0.71 0.87
Q7.
Facility values
Tier 3-6
L3 L4 L5 L6
a1 0.74 0.94 0.99 1.00
a2 0.84 0.93 0.97 0.98
b1 0.69 0.88 0.92 0.95
b2 0.32 0.64 0.90 0.98
ci 0.47 0.81 0.94 0.98
cii 0.43 0.63 0.84 0.94
Q8.
The majority of pupils at level 5 and above could match at least one observation with the
correct explanation, although at levels 5 and 6, many pupils only gained 1 or 2 marks. The
majority of pupils at level 7 gained all 4 marks. Matching a ship going out of sight at sea
with the fact that the Earth is a sphere appeared to be the easiest part, and identifying that
the earth spinning on its axis is the explanation for why we have night and day appeared
to be the hardest part.
Facility values
Page 78 of 90
Tier 3-6 Tier5-7
L3 L4 L5 L6 L5 L6 L7
1 .18 .37 .65 .90 .71 .89 .97
2 .19 .30 .45 .77 .60 .72 .94
3 .23 .34 .55 .85 .64 .79 .94
4 .11 .26 .44 .80 .55 .77 .93
Q9.
In part (a), level 7 was the only level where more than half of pupils were awarded the
mark. At levels 5 and 6, pupils gave the correct answer Mars and the incorrect answer
Jupiter in equal numbers, with a few giving Earth.
For part (b), the majority of pupils who were awarded the mark gave an answer relating to
more newtons on Earth, although at level 7 a similar number gave the answer the weight
is more on Earth. The most common incorrect answer was to state that there was more
mass on Earth. It appears that a significant number of pupils below level 7 did not gain the
mark as a result of confusing mass and weight.
In part (c) the majority of pupils at level 5 and above correctly stated that the weight would
be less on the Moon compared to the Earth; relatively few pupils at levels 5 and 6 stated
that mass on the Moon would be the same as that on Earth, with many stating that the
mass would also be less on the Moon, and about a third of pupils at level 5 suggested that
the mass would be greater on the Moon than on the Earth.
All pupils at level 7 stated the correct relationship between the orbit time of planets and
their distance from the Sun in part (di). This number fell to about 90% at level 6 and about
70% at level 5.
To gain the mark in part (dii) pupils needed to give a numerical answer between 1.6 and 6
(inclusive). This was answered correctly by more than half of pupils at levels 5, 6 and 7;
the most common error was to give a number less than 1.6.
Part (e) proved the most difficult for most pupils with only pupils at level 7 showing a good
understanding of how the speed of a comet changes as it orbits the Sun. A significant
number of pupils did not mark the position on the orbit line and so did not gain the mark
even if the point identified was closest to the Sun as required. Another common error was
to mark the position on the orbit furthest from the Sun, with a few pupils at all levels
putting their mark on either the arrow, or the comet itself.
Facility values
Tier 3-6 Tier5-7
L3 L4 L5 L6 L5 L6 L7
a .37 .43 .46 .48 .42 .43 .66
b .16 .37 .62 .65 .56 .63 .71
Page 79 of 90
c1 .07 .35 .69 .77 .67 .68 .83
c2 .00 .02 .10 .32 .12 .35 .71
di .03 .22 .66 .85 .80 .90 .97
dii .14 .36 .51 .66 .58 .58 .61
e .00 .04 .19 .41 .19 .40 .54
Q10.
Part (a)(i) was answered well by pupils at all levels, with the majority of pupils at Level 4
and above giving the correct letter C, and the correct reason it is close/closer to the Sun.
The most frequently given incorrect letter was A, the position furthest from the Sun.
Part (a)(ii) proved to be the most difficult part of the question, with few pupils at Level 5 or
below drawing all the arrows correctly. A common mistake at Levels 3, 4 and 5 was to
draw the arrows pointing away from the Sun, or to draw arrows along the orbit.
For part (a)(iii) the majority of pupils at Level 5 and above correctly identified A as the
position at which Quaoar is travelling most slowly. The most frequently given incorrect
answer was C the position nearest the Sun. Most Level 5 pupils who answered correctly
stated it is furthest from the Sun, while most of those at level 7 who answered correctly
stated the effect of gravity would be weaker, usually in combination with the answer it is
furthest from the Sun.
The majority of pupils at Level 5 and above gave an answer to part (b)(i) that was in the
acceptable range.
The majority of pupils at Level 5 and above gave the answer the further away a planet, the
colder it is, or the converse, to part (b)(ii). Very few pupils gave the incorrect answer the
further away a planet, the hotter it is, or the converse.
Part (b)(iii) proved to be the most difficult part of the question for pupils at all levels; with
about 60% of Level 7 pupils being awarded the mark. Of those pupils who were awarded
the mark, the majority gave an answer such as the planets that are further away receive
less heat, with few pupils giving the answer the energy from the Sun spreads out.
Q11.
At all levels most pupils answered part (a)(i) correctly.
In part (a)(ii), at Level 4 and above most pupils correctly identified the Earth, but only 30%
of pupils at Level 3 could do this, with many pupils answering A, C, E or G.
In part (a)(iii) at Level 4 and above most pupils correctly identified the Moon. At Level 3
only 30% of pupils answered correctly, with many pupils answering B, C, D, or F.
At all levels the majority of pupils correctly chose the planet with the largest orbit in part
(a)(iv). At Levels 3 and 4 the answer A was given by 30% and 10% of pupils respectively.
At all levels the majority of pupils drew the bar correctly in part (b)(i). The most common
mistake at all levels was to draw a bar that was too short, with very few pupils drawing a
bar that was too tall.
Page 80 of 90
At all levels the majority of pupils answered part (b)(ii) correctly, with the most frequent
answer being Jupiter.
The majority of pupils at Levels 5 and 6 answered part (b)(iii) correctly. At Levels 3 and 4
answers were evenly split between Jupiter (the planet where the greatest force would be
needed) and Pluto (where the least force would be needed).
Q12.
Sc4 7 marks Facility: 0.69
Most pupils know the relative sizes and positions of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. The
most common error was in giving the wrong letter for the Earth, 39% of Level 3 pupils and
30% of Level 4 pupils making this mistake.
Part (b) discriminated well between Levels 3, 4 and 5. The most popular correct response
was to mention communication or television, followed by weather and astronomy. At all
levels, boys performed better than girls, with the facilities being 0.71 and 0.56
respectively. About a quarter of Level 3 and 4 pupils gave vague answers that were not
creditworthy, e.g. for information.
Most pupils know that the Sun is a source of light. A few pupils at lower Levels gave the
incorrect response the Moon.
Both parts of (d) were answered well at the target level and above, with just over 40% at
Level 3 also correctly answering each. Pupils often failed to gain the mark in part (di)
because they did not mark the position of the Sun on the curved path of the Sun. The
most common incorrect answer to part (dii) was 6 hours.
The facility at all levels on part (e) was low, with only really Level 6 pupils making a good
attempt to draw the path of the Sun in winter. Most pupils who attempted this part
demonstrated that they knew that the path of the Sun was lower in winter than in summer,
however, a common error was to start and end the path of the Sun at the same points as
for summer.
Facilities by tier and level achieved
Level
Item 3 4 5 6
a1 .48 .71 .90 .96
a2 .75 .89 .95 1.00
b .19 .51 .76 .84
c .86 .91 .98 .99
di .48 .71 .89 .93
dii .45 .66 .82 .85
e .05 .14 .18 .23
Page 81 of 90
Q13.
Sc1 4 marks Facility: 0.38 (Tier 3-6) / 0.72 (Tier 5-7)
The multiple choice format of part (a) allowed many pupils to gain a mark. This question
discriminated particularly well between Levels 4 and 5. The most common wrong answer
was to suggest that Herschel carried out practical tests, an answer given by around a
quarter of pupils at Levels 3 and 4.
Part (b) discriminated well between Levels 4 and 5. There were a variety of possible
answers to this question, with the most common being that developments in equipment
have allowed more detailed or accurate recordings. Incorrect answers included easier to
collect data, more equipment, better telescopes and you can see more. Pupils at all
Levels below Level 7 gave these answers.
Once again part (c) discriminated well between Levels 4 and 5. The most common answer
to this question was to say that our knowledge is increasing or changing. Just under a
quarter gained the mark by suggesting that we don’t know everything about our solar
system.
Part (d) proved difficult, although as a result it discriminated well between Levels 6 and 7.
The most common way of gaining the mark was to say that new evidence leads to ideas
changing. Incorrect answers tended to be vague, e.g. you can never tell, they were wrong
and new ways of doing things.
Facilities by tier and level achieved
3-6 5-7
Item 3 4 5 6 5 6 7
a .22 .39 .69 .88 .78 .88 .93
b .03 .12 .45 .72 .56 .78 .88
c .02 .26 .59 .85 .70 .88 .93
d .01 .11 .26 .43 .35 .55 .77
Q14.
Most pupils, particularly those attaining levels 5 and6, answered this question very well.
Part (a) discriminated across the levels, with nearly all pupils attaining level 6 correctly
choosing the statement ‘the Moon is nearer to the Earth than the Sun is’ to account for
their apparent similarity in size during an eclipse. In part (bi) nearly all pupils attaining
level 5 and level 6 used the graph to identify the time of the eclipse. Part (bii) also
discriminated across the levels. A tenth of pupils attaining level 3 omitted this item but
nine-tenths of those at level 6 correctly stated that the temperature dropped because the
Moon blocked the Sun’s heat or radiation.
Facility values
Part Omit (%) Facility
(a) 1 0.74
(b)(i) 1 0.84
Page 82 of 90
(b)(ii) 4 0.65
By level
Part 3 4 5 6
(a) .62 .71 .91 .96
(b)(i) .72 .82 .92 .94
(b)(ii) .32 .53 .73 .84
Q15.
Pupils’ performance on this question was variable. Part (a) was answered well with nearly
all pupils taking the 5-7 tier stating that gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit
around the Sun. The first part of (b) was answered well with most pupils reasoning that
Pluto’s orbit time was greater than that of Neptune because it was further away from the
Sun. Far fewer pupils were able to suggest a second reason such as the Sun’s gravity
being less or the speed being slower. In part (ci) most pupils attaining levels 6 and 7
explained in terms of reflection why Neptune and Pluto can be seen but far fewer pupils
were able to explain why Pluto is not as bright as Neptune in part (cii). The most common
mistake was to say that Pluto is ‘further away’ although the diagram shows that Pluto is
sometimes closer than Neptune.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Part Omit % Facility Omit % Facility
(a) 23 0.61 2 0.96
(b) 1 18 0.76 1 0.98
(b) 2 29 0.27 6 0.55
(c)(i) 1 35 0.38 1 0.8
(c)(i) 2 41 0.24 4 0.69
(c)(ii) 34 0.19 4 0.5
By level
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Part 3 4 5 6 5 6 7
(a) .22 .54 .81 .92 .88 .97 .99
(b) .38 .83 1.24 1.54 1.35 1.61 1.71
Page 83 of 90
(c)(i) .09 .23 .77 1.36 1.06 1.54 1.87
(c)(ii) .04 .12 .19 .42 .31 .54 .73
Q16.
Pupils attaining levels 5 and 6 answered this question well. In part (ai) over two-thirds of
pupils attaining level 3 did not correctly draw arrows in all four positions to show the
direction of the force of gravity on ‘Lisa’. Part (aii) discriminated well across the levels,
with nearly all pupils attaining level 6 drawing the position of the ball and string correctly.
In part (bi) few pupils attaining level 3, but over half of the pupils attaining level 4, correctly
stated how long it takes the Earth to orbit the Sun. A common error was ‘24 hours’. Part
(bii) discriminated well across the levels with only a quarter of pupils attaining level 3
stating how long the earth took to rotate on its axis. The most common error was ‘365
days’. Boys performed significantly better than girls on both part (bi) and part (bii).
Facility values
Part Omit (%) Facility
(a)(i) 6 0.66
(a)(ii) 3 0.73
(b)(i) 0 0.68
(b)(ii) 1 0.64
By level
Part 3 4 5 6
(a)(i) .38 .57 .84 .93
(a)(ii) .57 .64 .80 .91
(b)(i) .40 .55 .76 .96
(b)(ii) .33 .57 .78 .96
Q17.
This question discriminated well across the levels. In part (a), fewer than a fifth of pupils at
levels 3 and 4 correctly positioned the Earth on the diagram. In part (b), most pupils
achieving levels 6 or 7 correctly positioned Mars, however only half the pupils taking the
higher tier could explain why Mars was in this position.
In part (c), over a third of pupils taking the lower tier correctly identified the position of
Venus and were able to explain its position, while another third did not attempt this part of
the question.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Page 84 of 90
Omit % Facility Omit % Facility
(a) 23 0.36 1 0.79
(b)(i) 28 0.48 1 0.87
(b)(ii) 28 0.30 1 0.50
(c)(i) 31 0.41 32 0.80
(c)(ii) 33 0.36 21 0.73
Q18.
Only pupils achieving level 7 gave good answers to parts (a)(i) and (a)(ii)and only half the
pupils interpreted the graph sufficiently precisely to be awarded a mark in part (b). Pupils’
performance was much better in part (c) with over four fifths of pupils able to say that
Jupiter is analogous to the Sun and her moons analogous to the planets in the solar
system.
Facility values
Omit (%) Facility
(a)(i) 1 5 0.61
(a)(i) 2 10 0.41
(a)(ii) 3 0.24
(b) 1 0.40
(c) 5 0.81
Q20.
Part (a) was well answered, the majority of pupils knew that the Sun is highest in the sky
at midday. However, fewer than half the pupils were able to draw the path of the Sun
across the sky in the summer in part (b).
In part (c) some pupils simply stated that the Sun moves rather than explaining why the
plant bends and a small number suggested that warmth rather than light was the
influencing factor. Most pupils correctly identified the producer in the food chain in part (d)
(i). However, in parts (d)(ii) and (d)(iii) pupils at level 3 showed a lack of knowledge and
understanding about predators.
Facility values
Item Omit (%) Facility
(a) 1 0.87
(b) 15 0.49
Page 85 of 90
(c) 2 0.69
(d) (i) 2 0.86
(ii) 1 0.69
(iii) 9 0.64
Facility values by level
Tier 3-6
Item Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
(a) 0.63 0.87 0.95 0.97
(b) 0.25 0.39 0.65 0.86
(c) 0.29 0.71 0.85 0.90
(d) (i) 0.55 0.86 0.96 1.00
(ii) 0.44 0.65 0.82 0.91
(iii) 0.27 0.51 0.79 0.88
Q21.
In part (a)(i) most pupils correctly marked the positions of Venus and Mars closest to
Earth. However, a significant number (39% of pupils taking the lower tier) failed to do this
with sufficient precision to gain credit. In part (a)(ii) most pupils at all levels could not
explain why it is easier to see Mars when it is closest to Earth. The majority of pupils
correctly identified gravity in part (b) as the force keeping the Earth in orbit. In part (c) the
majority of pupils at levels 6 and 7 correctly concluded that the Moon’s orbit is circular.
Part (d) was answered poorly by those at level 6 or below, with the majority of pupils
unable to use the diagram to identify or explain which season it was in Britain.
Facility values
Tier 3 – 6 Tier 5 – 7
Item Omit (%) Facility Omit (%) Facility
(a) (i) 9 0.34 0 0.73
(a) (ii) 18 0.09 4 0.19
(b) 13 0.75 0 0.94
(c) 30 0.23 4 0.64
(d) 1 11 0.24 1 0.44
(d) 2 22 0.04 3 0.23
Page 86 of 90
Facility values by level
Tier 3-6 Tier 5-7
Item Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Level 5 Level 6 Level 7
(a) (i) 0.05 0.27 0.49 0.65 0.52 0.78 0.91
(a) (ii) 0.04 0.09 0.12 0.2 0.06 0.18 0.28
(b) 0.46 0.70 0.85 0.94 0.91 0.95 0.99
(c) 0.02 0.09 0.37 0.63 0.45 0.68 0.85
(d) 2 0.12 0.19 0.31 0.53 0.32 0.48 1.16
Q22.
No specific comment made
Q23.
Overall this question was answered adequately, however many pupils’ answers contained
incorrect spellings of key scientific words and poor grammar.
(a) Part (a) was generally very well answered. The most common error was a result of
pupils’ poor use of comparative language, for example because it is far away from
the sun rather than they are the furthest from the sun.
(b) Fewer pupils gained marks in part (b). Some answers were not scientifically
accurate, e.g. water would go over the freezing point. Some pupils repeated the
answer given for part (b)(i) in part (b)(ii).
Parts (c) and (d), involved interpretation of data about planets’ orbits. They were answered
well by pupils at level 5 and above. Nearly a quarter of pupils taking the 3-6 tier failed to
attempt part (e).
Facility values
Level 3 – 6 Level 5 – 7
Item Omit (%) Facility Omit (%) Facility
(a) 7 0.73 0 0.96
(b) (i) 18 0.38 2 0.83
(ii) 21 0.45 1 0.89
(c) 11 0.39 0 0.78
(d) 10 0.49 0 0.87
(e) 23 0.52 5 0.86
Page 87 of 90
Q25.
This question was well answered by pupils achieving level 5 and 6. Part (a) was the
easiest part and was correctly answered by most pupils taking tier 3-6 and almost 100%
of pupils taking tier 5-7. Part (b) was not quite so well answered. The most common error
was to answered in terms of the orbital motion of Mars rather than in terms of its spin.
Part (c) was a more challenging question, and success rates were lower. About a quarter
of pupils taking tier 5-7 answered in terms of the ellipticity of the planet’s orbit, stating or
implying that summer occurs when the planet is nearest the Sun. About half of pupils
achieving level 7 referred to the tilt of the planetary axis in their explanations, but few
others answered in this manner.
Facility Values
Question Target Marks facility value facility value facility value PoS
level boys girls all reference
Tier: 3-6 3 0.24 0.23 0.24

5-7 0.62 0.53 0.57
a 5 1 4/4b
b 5 1 4/4a
c 6 1 4/4a
Q26.
In part (a) of this question, the most common error was to draw the arrow pointing to the
right instead of to the left, and in tier 3-6 this answer occurred almost as often as the
correct one. One possible explanation for this is that pupils are accustomed to drawing
rays which point away from the Sun, and it is possible that some pupils understood the
science but failed to read the question properly. A significant number of other pupils
taking tier 3-6 drew the arrow pointing up the page, and others drew it pointing down.
Part (b) was not well answered, with the most common answers being ‘towards the North’,
in both tiers. This may reflect confusion between upwards and North caused by the
conventional orientation of maps. The correct answer was the second most common in
tier 5-7, but not in tier 3-6, where ‘towards the West’ was a more popular choice.
Significant numbers of pupils gave inadequate answers to part (c), and some others gave
answers in terms of location, such as ‘because Padstow is further North’. A small number
wrote that Padstow is closer to the Sun, which may reflect confusion between North and
up. In part (d) many pupils read the question to mean ‘why does the Moon have a
shadow’, and gave explanations of how shadows form or answered ‘because they are in
line’. Many pupils did not register the word ‘move’ in the question.
Facility Values
Question Target Marks facility value facility value facility value PoS
level boys girls all reference
Tier: 3-6 4 0.27 0.21 0.24

5-7 0.54 0.42 0.48
a 5 1 4/3b
Page 88 of 90
b 5 1 4/4a
c 5 1 4/2b
d 5 1 4/4a
Q28.
Pupils demonstrated a good knowledge of the planets in the Solar System, understanding
of the causes of day and night, and the orbital motion of the Earth. This is a marked
improvement on performance in previous years.
Q29.
More than 75% of pupils demonstrated a good knowledge of the use of satellites in orbit
around the Earth.
Almost 75% of pupils showed a good understanding of the uses of satellites and most
identified that satellites reflect or scatter light. However, when asked why satellites
sometimes disappear from view, few pupils got the source of the light correct, with the
Moon being a popular incorrect answer. Others suggested the stars or that the solar
panels turned to a different angle.
Q31.
As in previous years, questions on The Earth and beyond were generally not well
answered. Fewer than half of pupils entered for tier 3-6 knew that the Sun rises in the
East and sets in the West. Only about 20% knew that, in Britain, the Sun is towards the
South when it is at its highest in the sky, and over 40% incorrectly thought that the answer
was towards the North. This may indicate that some pupils associate north with upwards.
About 30% of pupils believed that the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky is
caused by the Earth’s movement around the Sun.
Q32.
Most pupils in both tiers could identify Jupiter from the order of the planets, and most
pupils could place the Earth on the graph provided, although a substantial minority did not
do so with sufficient accuracy to gain credit. Pupils were less successful at indicating the
position of Venus, the most common wrong answer being to place it between Mars and
the asteroid belt. This is illustrated in the example shown below.
Page 89 of 90
Q33.
No specific comment made.
Q34.
Questions on The Earth and beyond tested a wider range of pupils’ knowledge than in
previous years. Pupils’ answers showed most had some fundamental knowledge about
this part of the programme of study. For example, about half of the pupils knew that the
Sun appears to travel across the sky in an arc from East to West, but fewer than a third
were able to show that they knew the Sun would appear lower in the sky in December
than in March.
Q35.
Questions on The Earth and beyond tested a wider range of pupils’ knowledge than in
previous years. The majority of pupils knew that the orbit of Mars lies between the orbits
of Earth and Jupiter. However, few were able to suggest why the brightness of planets
appears to change over a period of time and few could explain the apparent motion of the
stars in terms of the Earth’s movement.
Page 90 of 90

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Q1.

eclipse 1 20th July 1963

eclipse 2 31st July 1981

eclipse 3 11th August 1999

planet diameter (km)

Pluto has a diameter of 2 300 km.

Venus mainly carbon dioxide

Earth mainly nitrogen and oxygen

Neptune hydrogen, helium and methane

Earth’s moon none

Titan (a moon) nitrogen and methane

Pluto nitrogen and methane

Atmosphere is not used to classify objects as moons or planets.

time taken to orbit the Sun distance from the

Venus 0.5 108

Earth 1.0 150

closest ............................................ million km

furthest ............................................ million km

(c) The speed of light is 300 000 km/second.

(ii) Explain why the speed of the asteroid changes.

time taken to orbit the

Draw an arrow on each ray to show the direction of light.

Give one way the diagram above is incorrect.

In the correct arrangement ...................................................................

air resistance friction

Give one other use of satellites.

absorbs produces reflects

You can see the Sun because it .............................................. light.

You can see a satellite because it ........................................... light.

The planet Uranus is four times the size of Earth.

Sun Hubble telescope Earth

....................................... ...................................... ......................................

Look at the diagram.

(c) The diagram also shows the orbit of a comet.

(ii) The comet was last seen in 1986.

Predict when it will be seen next.

Draw only three lines.

(c) The diagram shows a satellite in orbit around the Earth.

(i) Give one use of a satellite.

air resistance magnetism

Draw a line from each observation to the correct explanation.

(c) Gravity is less on the Moon than on the Earth.

The weight of an astronaut on the Moon is ................................. the weight of

The mass of an astronaut on the Moon is ................................. the mass of the

(d) The table below gives information about five planets.

planet distance from the time for planet to orbit

Earth 150 1.0

Jupiter 780 12.0

Saturn 1400 30.0

(i) Look at the information in the table.

The diagram below shows Quaoar in four positions in its orbit.

(i) In which of the four positions, A, B, C or D, is the effect of the Sun’s

Explain your answer.

(iii) At which position, A, B, C or D, is Quaoar travelling most slowly?

Explain your answer.

average distance time for one Average surface

Saturn 1427 30 –180

Uranus 2870 84 –210

Pluto 5900 248 –230