Physics: Space Physics

Long ago, the Egyptians knew that the sun was at the center of our solar system. Then Ptolemy proposed the geocentric model, which positioned Earth at the center. Thankfully our knowledge of the Universe is a little better these days. Thanks Copernicus.

Flashcards on topic P.1 The Solar System

physics edexcel gcse science core science gcse science

The solar system is made up of so much more than just a star and planets. Comets, meteors, asteroids and moons are some of the other heavenly bodies we see as we look to the skies.

In a sense, the Earth is at the center of OUR universe. These flashcards will help you understand the position of the Earth and the position of the celestial bodies in relation to it. Understand how the Earth was formed here.

Information for GCSE core science, Physics module P1- The Earth in the Universe.

Before the technology of the last 100 years, everything we have ever learned about the universe was based upon observation. At first, it was what we could see with the naked eye. Then telescopes were invented. We could see much farther.

Let's see what you have learned so far. Take this quiz and answer the questions based on our basic understanding of the solar system. What is bigger, a moon or a dwarf planet? The answer may surprise you.

We can tell a lot about what we can observe. From the patterns of light we see, we can measure whether a celestial body is moving toward us or away from us. This can be told by the shift from red to blue in a Doppler pattern.

This mindmap demonstrates in amazing detail facts about the Big Bang, the Doppler effect, red shift and cosmic microwave background radiation. Have you ever thought of space as a big microwave oven? You are close to the truth.

What lies beyond our solar system, which is just one of billions with the universe. Our nearest neighbour is four light years away. That is like watching a live stream first broadcast four years beforehand.