The Solar System: past paper questions
Real questions on the solar system
The newest 14 of 14 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q10a(i)[1]
Identify planet X.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q10a(ii)[1]
The mass of the Sun is 2 × 10 30 kg. A student says that the Sun has 100 times the mass of planet X. Use data from Table 10.1 to show that the student is incorrect. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(i)[2]
The Sun is a stable star that formed as a protostar from two materials. State the two materials from which protostars form.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q10b(ii)[1]
The Sun is a small mass star. Use words or phrases from the list to describe the next stages of the life cycle of the Sun by filling in the gaps in the sequence below. black hole neutron star red giant red super giant supernova white dwarf Sun (stable star)
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2025 · Q10c[2]
Visible light travels 1.5 × 10 11 m from the Sun to the Earth at a speed of 3.0 × 10 8 m / s. Show that the time for visible light to travel from the Sun to the Earth is approximately 8 minutes.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · May/June 2025 · Q10a(ii)[1]
State the name of the galaxy which contains the Sun.
See it on the paper → - 0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q11a[2]
The Earth is a planet in our Solar System. List the other seven planets in our Solar System in order from closest to the Sun. Do not include Pluto in your list. closest to the Sun Earth
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2025 · Q9a(i)[2]
State the two most common elements found in the Sun.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2025 · Q9a(ii)[2]
Describe how the following change, if at all, when the distance from the Sun increases: the strength of the Sun’s gravitational field the orbital speed of the planets.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2025 · Q9c[3]
State, in order, the stages in the life cycle of a very large mass star after it leaves the stable main sequence stage.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2025 · Q12a[1]
The explosion of a supernova forms a nebula. State what may form from this nebula.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2025 · Q12c[2]
Complete the sentences to describe the Big Bang Theory. The Universe initially expanded from a place of high . The Universe is still expanding.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2022 · Q6a(i)[1]
State the source of the energy for the tides.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · October/November 2021 · Q9b(iii)[1]
State what causes tides.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The vast majority of candidates knew the name for the galaxy. The most common incorrect answer was the Solar System.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/31 Q10(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
This question proved demanding for candidates. Many included the moon in their list and it was common for the order to be incorrect as well as lists with lots of gaps.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q11(a) (Cambridge)
Almost all candidates correctly stated hydrogen or helium and many were able to identify both.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/41 Q9(a)(i) (Cambridge)
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