Edexcel IGCSE Physics topic guide
Edexcel IGCSE Physics Astrophysics questions
Astrophysics studies gravity and orbits, the scale of the universe, stellar evolution and evidence for the Big Bang.
Astrophysics topic overview
Astrophysics studies gravity and orbits, the scale of the universe, stellar evolution and evidence for the Big Bang.
Use the correct astronomical scale, connect observations to physical conclusions, and distinguish what happens to Sun-like stars from the evolution of more massive stars.
Question types in astrophysics
- Orbital speed, radius, period, weight and gravitational-field calculations.
- Comparisons of planetary, lunar, comet and satellite orbits.
- Stellar temperature, colour, life-cycle and Hertzsprung-Russell diagram questions.
- Red-shift, cosmic microwave background and expanding-universe explanations.
Astrophysics subtopics
Choose a subtopic for its syllabus points, answering guidance and worked exam questions.
8.a Units
8.1 use the following units: kilogram (kg), metre (m), metre/second (m/s), metre/second² (m/s²), newton (N), second (s), newton/kilogram (N/kg)
8.b Motion in the universe
8.2 know that: the universe is a large collection of billions of galaxies a galaxy is a large collection of billions of stars our solar system is in the Milky Way galaxy
8.c Stellar evolution
8.7 understand how stars can be classified according to their colour
8.d Cosmology
8.13P describe the past evolution of the universe and the main arguments in favour of the Big Bang theory