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Learning objective

Identify that galaxies consist of billions of stars, that the Sun is a star located in the Milky Way galaxy, that other stars in the Milky Way are significantly farther from Earth than the Sun, and that astronomical distances are measured in light-years, with one light-year being the distance light travels in a year in a vacuum.

Read the explanation, check the common trap, then practise with flashcards and questions.

Exam focus

  • Read the explanation.
  • Check key terms.
  • Practise with linked questions.
Cambridge IGCSE PhysicsSpace physicsCore content

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Quick explanation

Identify that galaxies consist of billions of stars, that the Sun is a star located in the Milky Way galaxy, that other stars in the Milky Way are significantly farther from Earth than the Sun, and that astronomical distances are measured in light-years, with one light-year being the distance light travels in a year in a vacuum

  • This point belongs to Stars, especially Stars outcomes.
  • You need to be able to identify that galaxies consist of billions of stars, that the Sun is a star located in the Milky Way galaxy, that other stars in the Milky Way are significantly farther from Earth than the Sun, and that astronomical distances are measured in light-years, with one light-year being the distance light travels in a year in a vacuum.
  • The key ideas to know are Identify, State, and Describe.
  • Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.

Key concepts

IdentifyStateDescribe

Why it matters

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Paper 3 structured question: Stars

Paper 3Theory (Core)1 marks

Description

Galaxies and Stars

Galaxies consist of billions of stars, including the Sun, which is located in the Milky Way galaxy. Other stars in the Milky Way are much farther from Earth than the Sun. Distances in astronomy are measured in light-years, where one light-year is the distance light travels in a year in a vacuum.

  1. a

    State What is the primary component of a galaxy?

    Aim for approximately 1 distinct marking point.

    [1]
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