Fig. 9.1 shows the path of a comet, the orbit of Earth and the orbit of Jupiter around the Sun. path of comet orbit of Jupiter Sun orbit of Earth [Figure 9.1 (not to scale)] The comet is at position 3 when Earth is at position 5.
- (a)On Fig. 9.1, draw the orbits of Mercury and Mars. Label each orbit.[2]
- (b)Explain why the comet at position 3 cannot be seen from Earth when Earth is at position 5.[1]
- (c)(i)A force causes the comet to orbit the Sun. State the name of the force that acts on the comet.[1]
- (c)(ii)Four positions of the comet are shown in Fig. 9.1. On Fig. 9.1, mark the direction of the force that acts on the comet at each of the four positions shown.[1]
- (c)(iii)Describe how the strength of the force that acts on the comet changes as the comet moves from position 1 through position 3 to position 4. Explain your answer. description explanation[2]
- (d)Table 9.1 gives the orbital radius and the orbital speed of Earth and of Jupiter as each moves around the Sun. Table 9.1 orbital radius/km orbital speed km/s Earth 1.5 x 10^8 30 Jupiter 7.8 x 10^8 13 Earth completes more orbits of the Sun than Jupiter in the same time. Calculate the number of orbits that Earth makes around the Sun in the time that Jupiter makes one orbit. Show your working. number of orbits = ....................................................[3]
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Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [1] (a) Mercury orbit inside Earth's orbit
- [1] (a) Mars orbit between orbit of Earth and Jupiter
- [1] (b) the Sun is in the way
- [1] (c)(i) gravitational (force / attraction from Sun)
- [1] (c)(ii) all four forces towards Sun by eye
- [1] (c)(iii) increases (from 1) to 3 and decreases (from 3 to 4)
- [1] (c)(iii) explanation of statement in description e.g. (stronger force) because comet is close(r) to Sun (at position 3)
- [1] (d) speed = 2πr/ T in any form
- [1] (d) time for Jupiter to orbit Sun = 3.8 × 10^8 (s) or time for Earth to orbit Sun = 3.1 × 10^7 (s) or distance increases by 7.8 / 1.5 and speed decreases by 30 / 13 or (7.8 (×10^8) / 1.5 (×10^8)) X (30 / 13)
- [1] (d) number of orbits = 12
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