John Griffiths Astro Pages

GCSE Astronomy — Detailed course breakdown

Course specifications — following the top-level course breakdown.  Reproduced from pages 8-19 of the full specification document from the Edexcel website.

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GCSE Astronomy >  [Introduction] >  Detailed Course Breakdown >  Coursework

Specification content

All formulae required will be given in the appropriate questions in examination papers.

 

1 Planet Earth

• The Earth, Days and seasons

 

The Earth

Candidates should be able to:

1.1 Describe the shape and size of the Earth, Moon and Sun in relation to the scale of the Solar System, making use of a scale model with balls of different sizes at appropriate spacings.

1.2 State the approximate diameter of the Earth (13 000 km).

1.3 State that the Earth’s orbit is not quite circular and is elliptical.

1.4 Explain the meaning of the terms perihelion and aphelion.

1.5 State that the Earth’s axis is tilted, and explain the meaning of the terms equator and ecliptic.

1.6 Explain the meaning of the terms latitude, longitude, pole, meridian, zenith and horizon.

1.7 State that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is known as one Astronomical Unit (1 AU), assuming that the Earth has a circular orbit.

1.8 Explain that 1 AU is more accurately described as the mean distance between the Earth and the Sun, because the Earth has an elliptical orbit.

1.9 Describe the features of the Earth which distinguish it from the other planets, including its extensive water surface and atmosphere.

1.10 Describe the effect of the Sun and Moon on the Earth’s water surface (tides).

1.11 Explain scattering in the atmosphere and why the sky is blue.

1.12 Describe the benefits and drawbacks of the Earth’s atmosphere to mankind in general and astronomers in particular.

1.13 Describe the problems of optical and chemical pollution of the atmosphere and the conditions affecting the siting of an observatory.

1.14 Describe radio interference from human causes and its effect on radio astronomical observations.

1.15 Describe the location and nature of the Van Allen belts and aurorae.

1.16 Explain that the apparent East-West motion of the Sun and Moon implies a rotation of the Earth from West to East.

1.17 Explain the need for time zones due to the rotation of the Earth.

1.18 State the astronomical significance of a day and a year.

1.19 Distinguish between a solar and a sidereal day, and explain why the Earth’s rotation period is 4 minutes less than 24 hours.

1.20 Describe how the Sun moves in the ecliptic and the significance of the terms equinox and solstice.

1.21 Explain the connection between the tilt of the Earth’s axis, orbital movement and the seasons.

1.22 Explain the astronomical significance of observations made with a shadow stick.

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