plumiBeyond Earth: OCR GCSE Physics A questions
Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P8.3 Beyond Earth, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
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Calculations
- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
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Q18(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q18(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q18(b)
The whole paper ↗Q18(c)
The whole paper ↗Q18(d)
The whole paper ↗Q18(e)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
Q19(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q19(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q19(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
Q21(a)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
- Your answer
Q16(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗
All 59 questions on Beyond Earth, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Which statement describes how the Sun was formed? A By the electromagnetic attraction of dust and gas B By the gravitational attraction of dust and gas C By the
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows a model of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. The dashed lines show the orbits of object Q and object R. R P Q Not to scale Which row identifies
- June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Redshift provides evidence for the Big-Bang model of the universe. Which statement describes redshift of light from a galaxy that is moving away from the Earth?
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Which sentence explains why the Sun maintains a constant size? A The force due to gravity is balanced by the repulsive force between positively charged hydrogen
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q15 (1 mark): The diagram shows a distant galaxy that is receding from the Earth. The galaxy is rotating in the direction shown. Visible light from both sides of the galaxy i
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a)(i) (1 mark): State the name of this force. [1]
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on Fig. 18.1 to show the direction of the force acting on the telescope. [1]
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b) (2 marks): The telescope is accelerating towards the Sun. Explain why the telescope is accelerating even though its speed remains constant. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c) (1 mark): The James Webb space telescope is always within 1.5 million kilometres of the Earth. The telescope is in constant use by scientists on the Earth. Suggest a reas
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(d) (1 mark): The James Webb space telescope detects electromagnetic radiation from stars and galaxies. Some telescopes on the Earth’s surface also detect electromagnetic rad
- June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(e) (2 marks): Fig. 18.2 shows the paths of the orbits around the Sun of both the James Webb space telescope and a planet labelled X. Fig. 18.2 Sun Planet X Telescope Not to s
- June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows an object in orbit around the Earth. not to scale What is the name of the object? A A moon B A natural satellite C An artificial satellite D A
- June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b)(i) (1 mark): The emission spectrum for each galaxy shows red-shift. Use Fig. 19.2 to explain what is meant by the term red-shift. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b)(ii) (2 marks): Which galaxy in Fig. 19.2 is furthest from the Earth? Give a reason for your answer. Galaxy Reason [2]
- June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b)(iii) (1 mark): State which theory the spectra from each galaxy in Fig. 19.2 gives evidence for. [1]
- June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): The diagram shows the emission spectra obtained from stars in two different galaxies. The same spectrum is shown from a laboratory source on the Earth. Galaxy P
- June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(a) (1 mark): The Earth orbits the Sun. Which statement is correct? Tick (✓) one box. The direction of the velocity of the Earth is towards the Sun. The Earth is accelerating
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): An astronomer observes that light from a distant galaxy is red-shifted compared to the same wavelength of light observed on the Earth. Which row correctly descr
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): In May 2021, SpaceX launched sixty Starlink satellites into our solar system. Which row correctly describes objects in our solar system? Natural satellite Artif
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw lines to connect each stage in the life cycle of the Sun with its correct description. Stage Description A star producing no radiation nebula formed from a
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which stage in the lifecycle of the Sun is missing from part (a)(i)? Put a ring around the correct option. black hole main sequence star neutron star [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): What causes a nebula to collapse to form a star? Put a ring around the correct option. fission fusion gravity radiation [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the sentence to describe the forces acting in the Sun at the current stage in its lifecycle. Use words from the list. equal to greater than less than T
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c)(i) (1 mark): Use the table and Fig. 19.2 to name the electromagnetic wave at maximum intensity. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): Which theory about the universe does the radiation for (c)(i) provide evidence for? [1]
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Object T moves at a constant speed in a circular orbit around object U. T U Why does the velocity of T change? A The force of gravity is at right angles to the
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b) (4 marks): Line spectra give astronomers information about the motion of distant galaxies. The table gives the wavelength of a line in the spectrum of hydrogen observed in
- June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(a) (3 marks): The Sun is a star. Describe how the Sun was formed. [3]
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): An astronomer observes a red-shift of light from a distant galaxy. What does red-shift of light mean? A The speed of the light has decreased. B The speed of the
- June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Which statement about the Solar System is correct? A Mars is a star. B Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. C Neptune is the planet closest to the Earth. D
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (3 marks): Read the two statements about planet A: The speed of planet A is constant. • The velocity of planet A is changing. • Explain why these two statements are correc
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the speed of a planet changes when the radius of orbit changes. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (2 marks): Two students look at the data. Student P says, ‘The time to orbit the Sun is proportional to the radius of orbit.’ Student Q disagrees. Use the data in the tabl
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (2 marks): Describe how a planet’s orbit is different compared to a moon’s orbit. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow at P to show the direction of the force of gravity at P. Label the arrow F. [1]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Nuclear fusion reactions take place in the Sun. The energy released creates a force. Draw an arrow at P to show the direction of this force. Label the arrow R.
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the size of the Sun does not change. Write about force F and force R in your answer. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(iv) (3 marks): Complete the sentences using the words below. You can use each word once, more than once, or not at all. black hole neutron star planetary nebula red giant red
- November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): Four stages in the lifecycle of a star are P, Q, R and S: P Nuclear fusion starts. Q The core collapses to form a white dwarf. R Dust and gas are pulled togethe
- November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b) (2 marks): The average surface temperature on Earth is 15 °C. Suggest whether the average temperature on Mars is higher or lower than 15 °C. Use the data in Table 19.1 to
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c) (3 marks): Use the words from the list to complete the sentences about the Universe. You may use each word once, more than once, or not at all. Big-Bang Contracting CMBR E
- November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20 (6 marks): 20* This graph shows how a planet’s orbit time changes with distance from the Sun in our solar system. 180 160 140 120 Time for planet 100 to orbit Sun (Years)
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Which statement about geostationary satellites is correct? A They appear to be in a fixed position relative to a point on the Earth. B They are in a polar orbit
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q14 (1 mark): Which statement about a star that explodes into a supernova is correct? A The star has more mass than the sun. B The star is older than the sun. C The star will
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (2 marks): Explain how he could tell that all distant galaxies were moving away from the Earth. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): Use data from the graph to show that the speed of the galaxy is proportional to the distance from the Earth. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain how data from the graph provides evidence for the Big-Bang. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (1 mark): Before Edwin Hubble could publish his results, his work was peer reviewed. Suggest why peer review is important. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(d)(i) (2 marks): A galaxy is at a distance of 82 Mpc from the Earth. Use the graph to determine the speed of this galaxy. Give your answer in metres per second (m / s). Speed =
- November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(d)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the time it takes for the galaxy to travel 2.53 × 1024 m. Use your answer to 22(d)(i) to help you. Time = s [3]
- June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q23(c)(iii) (1 mark): What will happen to our Sun when it runs out of hydrogen? [1]
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): The table contains statements about red-shift and galaxies. Which row in the table is correct? Statement 1 Statement 2 All galaxies move apart at the same A The
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): Planet Ocra is in a circular orbit around a star. Ocra Star Which statement is correct? A The acceleration of Ocra is zero. B The speed of Ocra is changing. C T
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): An artificial satellite orbits the Earth in a circular path. The satellite is moved further away from Earth to another orbit. Which row in the table is correct?
- June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(a)(ii) (1 mark): Stars are formed from dust and gas. What causes the dust and gas to undergo fusion? [1]
- June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): Which statement is correct about geostationary satellites? A They are above the equator and they orbit the Earth in about 90 minutes at a high orbit. B They are
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): A planet moves in a circular orbit around its star. Which statement is correct? A The planet travels at changing speed and changing velocity. B The planet trave
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): An artificial satellite is kept in its low polar orbit by a gravity force from a planet. The satellite is moved to a higher orbit above the planet. Which statem
- June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Which row A, B, C or D, describes what has happened to light that has undergone red shift? Wavelength Frequency A Decreases Decreases B Decreases Increases C In
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