Space physics: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 24May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  As the Universe expands, the wavelength of electromagnetic waves reaching the Earth from distant galaxies increases. This can cause waves that are emitted in one part of the electromagnetic spectrum to be detected in another part of that spectrum.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram represents three objects, X, Y and Z, in space.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which list gives the names of the planets in the correct order?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which planet orbits the Sun between Mars and Saturn?

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• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Solar System is correct?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Sun is correct?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row describes the Sun and the Milky Way?

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which description of a galaxy is correct?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the name of the galaxy that contains the Sun?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the approximate diameter of the Milky Way?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which quantity does a light-year measure?

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diameter of the Milky Way is approximately ......1...... ......2...... .

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What causes the phases of the Moon?

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• Question 22Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The early Universe was filled with gamma radiation. Since then, the radiation has shifted to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. How has this change affected the wavelength and speed of the radiation?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Approximately how long does the Moon take to orbit the Earth?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Sun is a star that radiates energy towards the Earth. Which regions of the electromagnetic spectrum make up most of the Sun's radiation received on the Earth?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows part of a solar system.

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Sun transfers energy to the Earth through electromagnetic radiation. What are two of the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to which most of the energy belongs?

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• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  The planet Mercury orbits the Sun at an average distance of $5.8\times {10}^{10}\text{ m}$ from the Sun. Mercury takes 88 days to orbit the Sun. What is Mercury's average orbital speed?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Light received from distant galaxies is observed to have a longer wavelength than the light originally emitted. This is called redshift. Which conclusion do astronomers form about distant galaxies from this observation?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Sun is not correct?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What provides evidence that the Universe is expanding?

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In approximately five billion years, our Sun will run out of hydrogen fuel in its core. Which row shows two later stages in its life cycle?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Four rocky planets orbit the Sun. Which list shows these planets in order of increasing distance from the Sun?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the Milky Way galaxy is correct?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which time period is approximately equal to 24 hours?

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• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which expression is correct for the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  In which given region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Sun radiate the least of its energy?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The Solar System contains eight major planets. What is the correct order of three of the major planets, starting with the planet furthest from the Sun?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The nearest star to the Sun is about four light-years away from the Earth.

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