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The Asteroid Belt is part of our Solar System - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 8 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 8
The Asteroid Belt is part of our Solar System. Vesta is an asteroid in the Asteroid Belt. (a) Vesta orbits the Sun between the orbits of A Venus and Earth B Earth... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The Asteroid Belt is part of our Solar System - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 8 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Calculate the time taken for Vesta to orbit the Sun once.
Answer
To find the time taken for Vesta to orbit the Sun once, we can use the formula:
time = \frac{distance}{speed} = \frac{2.2 \times 10^9 \text{ m}}{1.9 \times 10^6 \text{ m/s}}$$ Calculating this gives:time = \frac{2.2 \times 10^9}{1.9 \times 10^6} \approx 1158 \text{ s}$$
Therefore, the time taken for Vesta to orbit the Sun once is approximately 1158 seconds.
Step 3
Explain why Vesta is accelerating even when it is travelling at a constant speed.
Answer
Vesta is accelerating because it is moving in a circular orbit around the Sun. Even when the speed is constant, the direction of the velocity vector changes continuously, which means that there is a change in velocity. This change in direction is a form of acceleration, often referred to as centripetal acceleration.
Step 4
Explain why the temperature on Vesta does not continue to rise, even though it is absorbing energy from the Sun.
Answer
Vesta does not continue to rise in temperature because it radiates energy at the same rate it absorbs it from the Sun. When Vesta reaches a thermal equilibrium, it emits the same amount of energy as it receives, preventing any further increase in temperature.
Step 5
Step 6
Calculate the intensity of the radiation from the Sun at Vesta.
Answer
To calculate the intensity of radiation from the Sun at Vesta, we first use the equation provided:
where:
- K = 1 AU² × 1400 W/m²
- d = 2.4 AU
Substituting the values:
Calculating gives:
Thus, the intensity of the radiation from the Sun at Vesta is approximately 240 W/m².