AQA GCSE Physics

AQA GCSE (2007/8) - Physics

In this section we detail the astronomy requirements contained within the new AQA GCSE Physics specification to be examined in 2007/8. Note that the physics syllabus also covers astronomy content within the Science GCSE.

Please click on the following hyperlinks for further details.

Section 11.7 - What do we know about the origins of the Universe and how it continues to change?

• 11.7.1 - If a wave source is moving relative to an observer there will be a change in the
  observed wavelength and frequency.

• 11.7.2 - There is a red-shift in light observed from most distant galaxies. The further away
  galaxies are the bigger the red-shift.

• 11.7.3 - How the observed red-shift provides evidence that the universe is expanding and
  supports the big bang theory (that the universe began from a very small initial point).

• 11.7.4 - Observations of the solar system and the galaxies in the universe can be
  carried out on the Earth or from space.

• 11.7.5 - Observations are made with telescopes that may detect visible light or
  other electromagnetic radiations such as radio waves or Xrays.

Section 12.10 - What are nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

• 12.10.7 - Nuclear fusion is the process by which energy is released in stars.

Section 13.3 - What provides the centripetal force for planets and satellites?

• 13.3.1 - The Earth, Sun, Moon and all other bodies attract each other with a force called gravity.

• 13.3.2 - The bigger the masses of the bodies the bigger the force of gravity between them.

• 13.3.3 - As the distance between two bodies increases the force of gravity between them decreases.

• 13.3.4 - The orbit of any planet is an ellipse (slightly squashed circle), with the Sun at one focus.

• 13.3.5 - Gravitational force provides the centripetal force that allows planets and satellites to
  maintain their circular orbits.

• 13.3.6 - The further away an orbiting body is the longer it takes to make a complete orbit.

• 13.3.7 - To stay in orbit at a particular distance, smaller bodies, including planets and satellites,
  must move at a particular speed around larger bodies.

• 13.3.8 - Communications satellites are usually put into a geostationary orbit above the equator.