Compass Construction: Real-world Applications in Space & Astronomy

Mathematics
GCSE Higher
11 questions
~22 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A worksheet exploring the use of compass construction techniques in real-world space and astronomy contexts, focusing on perpendicular bisectors.

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Compass Construction: Real-world Applications in Space & Astronomy

Subject: MathematicsGrade: GCSE Higher
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade GCSE Higher
A

Practice Questions

Answer all questions. Show your working in the grid spaces provided.
1.
Using a compass, construct the perpendicular bisector of a segment representing the diameter of a satellite orbit on the grid.
[3 marks]
2.
Construct the perpendicular bisector of a line segment that models the distance between two planets in a diagram. Show all steps.
[4 marks]
3.
A spacecraft's position is marked on the grid. Construct a perpendicular bisector of a segment representing its current trajectory to find the possible position of a satellite in orbit.
[4 marks]
4.
Construct the perpendicular bisector of a segment connecting two space stations, ensuring the construction is precise. Record each step.
[3 marks]
5.
In a simulation of a planet’s orbit, construct the perpendicular bisector of a given segment. Explain how this bisector could help determine the planet's center of orbit.
[4 marks]
6.
Given a line segment representing a telescope's pointing direction, use compass construction to find its midpoint. Show your working.
[2 marks]
7.
Construct the perpendicular bisector of a segment representing a rocket's launch trajectory. Why is this construction useful in plotting the rocket’s possible landing zones?
[4 marks]
8.
Construct a perpendicular bisector of a segment between two celestial markers on the grid. Verify your construction and explain its significance.
[3 marks]
9.
Using the grid, construct the perpendicular bisector of a segment representing the distance between two space probes. Then, discuss how this construction can aid in triangulating their relative positions.
[4 marks]
10.
Challenge: On the grid, construct a segment representing a satellite’s position and its path. Use compass construction to find the midpoint. Explain how this midpoint could be used to optimize satellite communication.
[3 marks]
11.
Identify and correct the mistake in this compass construction for the perpendicular bisector: students are told to draw the circle with the same radius from both endpoints before marking the intersections, but they draw the circles with different radii.
[4 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet