1
Cambridge IGCSE
Physics
Revision Guide 2024
Unit 6 Space Physics
Mohammed Ali
[Physics with Mo Ali]
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 6
, 2
The Earth
1 Know that the Earth is a planet that rotates on its axis, which is tilted, once in approximately 24 hours, and use this to explain observations of
the apparent daily motion of the Sun and the periodic cycle of day and night
2 Know that the Earth orbits the Sun once in approximately 365 days and use this to explain the periodic nature of the seasons
3 Know that it takes approximately one month for the Moon to orbit the Earth and use this to explain the periodic nature of the Moon’s cycle of
phases
4 Define average orbital speed from the equation v = 2πr/T where r is the average radius of the orbit and T is the orbital period; recall and use
this equation
Earth
The earth is a planet.
The Earth rotates about its tilted axis once every 24 hours.
This explains the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky.
The earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days.
Seasons
The northern and southern hemispheres experience the opposite seasons.
When the northern hemisphere is summer (because it is closer to the Sun and
gets more daylight hours), the southern hemisphere is winter (because it is
farther from the Sun and gets less daylight hours).
Moon
The Moon is the only natural satellite of Earth.
It orbits planet Earth once every month.
Depending on where the moon is relative to the Earth, its phase changes.
Orbital Speed
𝟐𝝅𝒓
Calculating Orbital Speed: 𝒗 = (m/s)
𝑻
Where r is orbital radius, and T is the orbital period.
Orbital radius: distance between the center of the orbit and the object.
Orbital period: time taken for an obejct to complete one full orbit.
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 6
Cambridge IGCSE
Physics
Revision Guide 2024
Unit 6 Space Physics
Mohammed Ali
[Physics with Mo Ali]
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 6
, 2
The Earth
1 Know that the Earth is a planet that rotates on its axis, which is tilted, once in approximately 24 hours, and use this to explain observations of
the apparent daily motion of the Sun and the periodic cycle of day and night
2 Know that the Earth orbits the Sun once in approximately 365 days and use this to explain the periodic nature of the seasons
3 Know that it takes approximately one month for the Moon to orbit the Earth and use this to explain the periodic nature of the Moon’s cycle of
phases
4 Define average orbital speed from the equation v = 2πr/T where r is the average radius of the orbit and T is the orbital period; recall and use
this equation
Earth
The earth is a planet.
The Earth rotates about its tilted axis once every 24 hours.
This explains the apparent motion of the Sun across the sky.
The earth orbits the Sun once every 365 days.
Seasons
The northern and southern hemispheres experience the opposite seasons.
When the northern hemisphere is summer (because it is closer to the Sun and
gets more daylight hours), the southern hemisphere is winter (because it is
farther from the Sun and gets less daylight hours).
Moon
The Moon is the only natural satellite of Earth.
It orbits planet Earth once every month.
Depending on where the moon is relative to the Earth, its phase changes.
Orbital Speed
𝟐𝝅𝒓
Calculating Orbital Speed: 𝒗 = (m/s)
𝑻
Where r is orbital radius, and T is the orbital period.
Orbital radius: distance between the center of the orbit and the object.
Orbital period: time taken for an obejct to complete one full orbit.
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 6
