A-Level PhysicsYear 2021Q11
8 11 The International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth with a constant speed v. The orbit is circular and of radius r. (a) The diagram represents two positions, A and B, of ISS during its orbit. r A B v Draw a labelled vector diagram, in the space below, of the velocities at the two positions that shows the acceleration is directed towards the centre of the orbit. (2) Turn over 9 (b) (i) The ISS completes one orbit in 92 minutes. Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the ISS. r = 6800 km (3) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Centripetal acceleration = ....................................................... (ii) Astronauts in the ISS are often described as being “weightless”. Discuss whether the astronauts are “weightless” when they are orbiting the Earth in the ISS. (4) ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... (Total for Question 11 = 9 marks)
Paper Source:9PH0_01_que_20211009.pdf
Get full Socratic AI guidance on this question — free in the Applaa desktop app
Appy Buddy guides you step-by-step toward the answer without giving it away. Type your attempt and get instant, mark-scheme-aware clues that teach you to think like an examiner.
Applaa Desktop App
Join Applaa Community
Create your own games, learn AI concepts, program interactive apps, and share with a kid-safe community approved by parents. Free forever on Windows and Mac.
Download Free
Available for Windows and macOS · COPPA Compliant
Exam Specification Info
This question is part of the UK A-Level Physics syllabus. In the actual exam, structured questions typically require linking specific keywords to gain full marks. Applaa helps you drill these topics.
Syllabus levelAdvanced Level (A-Level)
SubjectPhysics
Official MarksVariable (2–6 marks)
1 month free, then 50% off for 3 months — £4.99/mo
While Other Kids Get an AI Head Start, Is Yours Falling Behind?
Give your child the same AI app-building, exam prep and tutoring edge — free for the first month, no credit card needed.
Join 10,000+ students building their first AI-powered apps with Applaa