Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Cosmology
37 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
1–10 of 37
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by red-shift in the context of galaxies.
Question 2
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which observation provides evidence that the universe is expanding?
- A.Red-shift of light from distant galaxies
- B.Bright flashes from supernovae
- C.Blue-shift in all nearby stars
- D.Regular brightness of the Sun
Question 3
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what the Doppler effect tells astronomers about distant galaxies.
Question 4
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A galaxy is observed with its spectral lines shifted towards longer wavelengths.
(a)[1 mark]What is this effect called?
(b)[1 mark]What does this tell us about the motion of the galaxy relative to Earth?
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Name the scientist who first described the Doppler effect.
Question 6
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain how observing red-shifted galaxies supports the idea that the universe is expanding.
Question 7
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →What happens to the frequency of light from a galaxy moving away from Earth?
- A.The frequency increases
- B.The frequency stays the same
- C.The frequency decreases
- D.The frequency becomes zero
Question 8
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State one argument, based on the past evolution of the universe, that supports the Big Bang theory.
Question 9
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →When astronomers observe a distant galaxy through a telescope, they analyse its light spectrum to investigate its movement.
(a)[1 mark]State what is meant by red-shift in the context of light from galaxies.
(b)[2 marks]Explain what the observation of red-shifted light tells astronomers about the motion of distant galaxies.
(c)[1 mark]Describe how the size of the observed red-shift relates to the distance of a galaxy from Earth.
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain how the observation of red-shifted light from distant galaxies provides evidence for the Big Bang theory.