Explain how and why both the weight of any body and the value of gdiffer between the surface of the Earth and the surface of other bodies in space, including the Moon

Recall that our Solar System consists of the Sun (our star), eight planets and their natural satellites (such as our Moon); dwarf planets; asteroids and comets

Recall the names and order, in terms of distance from the Sun, of the eight planets

Describe how ideas about the structure of the Solar System have changed over time

Describe the orbits of moons, planets, comets and artificial satellites

Explain for circular orbits how the force of gravity can lead to changing velocity of a planet but unchanged speed

Explain how, for a stable orbit, the radius must change if orbital speed changes (qualitative only)

Compare the Steady State and Big Bang theories

Describe evidence supporting the Big Bang theory, limited to red-shift and the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation

Recall that as there is more evidence supporting the Big Bang theory than the Steady State theory, it is the currently accepted model for the origin of the Universe

Describe that if a wave source is moving relative to an observer there will be a change in the observed frequency and wavelength

Describe the red-shift in light received from galaxies at different distances away from the Earth

Explain why the red-shift of galaxies provides evidence for the Universe expanding

Explain how both the Big Bang and Steady State theories of the origin of the Universe both account for red-shift of galaxies

Explain how the discovery of the CMB radiation led to the Big Bang theory becoming the currently accepted model

Describe the evolution of stars of similar mass to the Sun through the following stages:

a) nebula
b) star (main sequence)
c) red giant
d) white dwarf

Explain how the balance between thermal expansion and gravity affects the life cycle of stars

Describe the evolution of stars with a mass larger than the Sun

Describe how methods of observing the Universe have changed over time including why some telescopes are located outside the Earth’s atmosphere