CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences-P6.1 The Solar System- Study Notes- New Syllabus
CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences-P6.1 The Solar System – Study Notes
CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences-P6.1 The Solar System – Study Notes -CIE iGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences – per latest Syllabus.
Key Concepts:
CIE iGCSE Co-Ordinated Sciences-Concise Summary Notes- All Topics
The Solar System
(a) The Sun:
- The Solar System contains one star – the Sun.
- The Sun is a medium-sized yellow star (G-type main-sequence).
- Contains about 99.9% of the total mass of the Solar System.
- Source of light and heat for all planets.
- Provides the gravitational force that keeps planets and other bodies in orbit.
(b) The Eight Planets (in order from the Sun):
- Mercury – smallest planet, closest to the Sun, no atmosphere.
- Venus – thick carbon dioxide atmosphere, hottest planet.
- Earth – only known planet with life, water in all three states.
- Mars – the “Red Planet”, thin atmosphere, polar ice caps.
- Jupiter – largest planet, gas giant, Great Red Spot storm.
- Saturn – gas giant, famous for its ring system.
- Uranus – ice giant, tilted axis (rotates on its side).
- Neptune – farthest planet, strong winds, ice giant.
Mnemonic: “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles”
(c) Minor Planets and Other Bodies:
- Dwarf Planets: e.g., Pluto, Eris, Ceres – smaller bodies orbiting the Sun.
- Asteroids: Rocky objects, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- Comets: Made of ice and rock; develop tails when near the Sun due to sublimation of ice.
- Meteoroids: Small rocky fragments that can enter Earth’s atmosphere as meteors.
(d) Moons (Natural Satellites):
- Moons orbit planets due to gravity.
- Earth’s Moon stabilises Earth’s tilt and causes tides.
- Jupiter has at least 79 moons (largest: Ganymede, Io, Europa, Callisto).
- Saturn has over 80 moons (including Titan, larger than Mercury).
- Moons vary in size from tiny asteroid-like rocks to planet-sized bodies.
Example
Which planet is the farthest from the Sun, and what are two of its key features?
▶️Answer/Explanation
Step (1): The farthest planet from the Sun is Neptune.
Step (2): Key features include:
- It is an ice giant with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
- It has the strongest winds in the Solar System (up to 2000 km/h).
Final Answer: Neptune – farthest planet, ice giant with extreme winds.
Example
Write down the eight planets of the Solar System in order, starting from the Sun.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Step (1): Recall the order using the mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles.”
Step (2): Planets in order:
Final Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
Example
Pluto is no longer classified as a major planet. State its current classification and one reason for this change.
▶️Answer/Explanation
Step (1): Pluto was reclassified in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Step (2): Its current classification is a dwarf planet.
Step (3): Reason: Pluto does not clear its orbit of other debris, one of the conditions required to be called a planet.
Final Answer: Pluto is a dwarf planet because it shares its orbit with other objects in the Kuiper Belt.