the Sun and the collection of objects in orbit around it

a very large, spherical object in orbit around a star that has cleared the path of its orbit of other objects

a large object in orbit around a star that has not cleared the path of its orbit of other objects

a natural object in orbit around a planet

The solar system

Physics

Orbital motion of artificial satellites

Birth of a star

Stellar evolution

Observing the universe

The changing universe

In the Solar system and beyond unit, pupils learnt about the scale and content of the Solar system and the universe, and about gravitational force and the motions that cause days and seasons on the Earth.

This unit covers the solar system's features, including planets, moons, and satellites. It explains gravity's effect on orbits, the sun's formation from dust and gas, and fusion equilibrium. It also explores red-shift, evidence of an expanding universe, and the link to the Big Bang model.

Gravity in space

Which of these are regions in the Solar System that contain millions of rocks of all different sizes.

Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

Which of these planets has a moon called 'the Moon'?

Why are moons that are bigger than the planet Mercury called moons rather than planets?

near to the surface of a planet with an atmosphere

What best describes where gravitational force acts?

in a straight line in the direction in which Mars is moving

in a circle in the direction in which Mars is moving

in a straight line towards the centre of the Sun

in a straight line away from the centre of the Sun

In which direction does the gravitational force of the Sun act on the planet Mars to make it orbit the Sun?

a large number of rocks that orbit the Sun, between Mars and Jupiter

a large number of rocks that orbit the Sun beyond Pluto

Put these planets in order of their distance from the Sun, starting with the planet closest to it.

How long does it take Earth to orbit the Sun?

How long does it take the Moon to orbit Earth?

The solar system

Lesson outcome