0. Introduction and List of Mathematical Topics
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Compiled by Anne-Michelle d’Anjou and Richard O’Shea © Mickledore Publishing 2011 The aim of this CD-ROM is to provide a convenient and comprehensive set of short mathematical questions covering all the relevant topics listed in the new specification for GCSE Astronomy provided by Edexcel for first examination in June 2011. Each mathematical topic is contained within a separate ‘chapter’ file (presented in both Microsoft ® Word (for PC) and PDF formats). Each chapter contains a short tutorial followed by worked examples and practice questions for you to answer. Each file can be accessed by simply ‘Exploring’ the CD using ‘My Computer’ and double clicking on the relevant topic to open it. All solutions are contained in a separate file. The questions vary in style and level of difficulty in order to reflect the range of questions found in recent examination papers and Edexcel support material. Hints and advice on solutions are provided, along with background information (tutorials) on all topics. Some questions require the use of a mathematical formula, whereas others can be solved by applying thought and reasoning. Where possible, real data has been used, and it is hoped that the diversity of questions will provide opportunities for students to not only consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter but also to develop the key mathematical skills that are relevant to the study of Astronomy and other Science-based subjects at GCSE level. New Practice Calculations for GCSE Astronomy © Mickledore Publishing 2011 1
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Transcript of 0. Introduction and List of Mathematical Topics
8/2/2019 0. Introduction and List of Mathematical Topics
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/0-introduction-and-list-of-mathematical-topics 1/2
Compiled by Anne-Michelle d’Anjou and Richard O’Shea
© Mickledore Publishing 2011
The aim of this CD-ROM is to provide a convenient and comprehensive set of shortmathematical questions covering all the relevant topics listed in the new specification forGCSE Astronomy provided by Edexcel for first examination in June 2011.
Each mathematical topic is contained within a separate ‘chapter’ file (presented in bothMicrosoft® Word (for PC) and PDF formats). Each chapter contains a short tutorial followedby worked examples and practice questions for you to answer. Each file can be accessed bysimply ‘Exploring’ the CD using ‘My Computer’ and double clicking on the relevant topic toopen it. All solutions are contained in a separate file.
The questions vary in style and level of difficulty in order to reflect the range of questionsfound in recent examination papers and Edexcel support material. Hints and advice onsolutions are provided, along with background information (tutorials) on all topics.
Some questions require the use of a mathematical formula, whereas others can be solved byapplying thought and reasoning. Where possible, real data has been used, and it is hopedthat the diversity of questions will provide opportunities for students to not only consolidatetheir knowledge and understanding of the subject matter but also to develop the keymathematical skills that are relevant to the study of Astronomy and other Science-basedsubjects at GCSE level.
New Practice Calculations for GCSE Astronomy© Mickledore Publishing 2011
1
8/2/2019 0. Introduction and List of Mathematical Topics
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/0-introduction-and-list-of-mathematical-topics 2/2
The subject matter begins close to home with Eratosthenes’ determination of thecircumference of the Earth (with amazing accuracy!). It progresses through our Solar System,onwards and outwards to the stars in our own Galaxy, and eventually finishes with Hubble’slaw and a look at the Universe on the largest of scales.
Are you ready for the journey? Then hold on…this could be some ride!
The complete list of mathematical topics is:
1. The Scale of the Universe (including Eratosthenes’ determination of theEarth’s circumference)
2. Terrestrial and Stellar Co-ordinates
3. Shadow Sticks, Sundials and Time
4. Planetary Orbits (including Kepler’s 3rd law of planetary motion)
5. The Inverse Square Law Nature of Gravitation
6. Circumpolar Stars (including the Rotation of the Earth)
7. Stellar Magnitudes
8. Stellar Distances (including the distance modulus formula)
9. Redshift (the Doppler Effect)
10. Hubble’s Law (including the age of the Universe)
A-M & ‘Rick’, High Peak, Derbyshire, August 2009
New Practice Calculations for GCSE Astronomy© Mickledore Publishing 2011
ISBN(10) 0 9536345 8 2ISBN(13) 978 0 9536345 8 3
New Practice Calculations for GCSE Astronomy© Mickledore Publishing 2011
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