2024 · M/J · 5054/21 | Q8

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Question (8 of 8)10 marks · Practise this topic →

Options

(a)

Table 8.1 shows data about three planets, Mercury, Venus and Earth.

Table 8.1
planet	time for one orbit of Sun / days	distance from Sun / km	average density / kg/m³	gravitational field strength at surface / N/kg
Mercury	88	5.8 × 10⁷	5400	3.7
Venus	220	1.1 × 10⁸	5200	8.9
Earth	365	1.5 × 10⁸	5500	9.8

Fig. 8.1 shows these planets in alignment with the Sun. They rotate around the Sun in the direction shown.

Mark and label on Fig. 8.1 the positions of the three planets 110 days after the position shown in Fig. 8.1.

Answer guidance

Draw Accuracy is being marked. Use the figure and be precise about position and labels.

[3 marks]

Each of the three planets has a similar average density.

(b)(i)Suggest why the gravitational field strength at the surface of Mercury is much smaller than at the surface of Venus.

Answer guidance

Suggest More than one answer may be acceptable, so long as it is consistent with the physics.

[1 mark]

The gravitational field strength at the surface of Mercury is 3.7 N/kg and at the surface of the Earth is 9.8 N/kg.

An object has a weight of 37 N on the surface of Mercury.

(b)(ii)Calculate its weight on the surface of the Earth. Show your working.

Answer guidance

Show The result is given, so every step of the reasoning is what earns the marks.

[2 marks]

(c)State what is meant by a 'moon'.

Answer guidance

State A short answer. No explanation is needed, and adding one cannot earn extra marks.

[1 mark]

The Sun will eventually run out of hydrogen.

(d)Describe what happens to the Sun when the hydrogen runs out.

Answer guidance

Describe Say what happens, in order. Reasons are not required unless the question also asks why.

[3 marks]

5054/21/M/J/24Cambridge O Level Physics 5054 · May/June 2024 · Paper 2 variant 1 · Question 8