Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND (CMB) RADIATION
15 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 15
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the name given to the radiation that is considered the afterglow of the Big Bang and is detected in all directions of the universe.
Question 2
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Light from a distant galaxy has a wavelength of 550 nm, while the same spectral line measured from our Sun is at 500 nm. Calculate the speed at which the galaxy is moving away from Earth. (speed of light m/s)
Question 3
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain how the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation supports the Big Bang theory. Give two points in your answer.
Question 4
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which observation about distant galaxies provides evidence that the universe is expanding?
- A.Their light is red-shifted.
- B.Their light is blue-shifted.
- C.Their light is unchanged.
- D.They emit only microwaves.
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A scientist observes that the absorption lines in the spectrum of a distant galaxy have moved towards longer wavelengths than those from our Sun. State the name of this effect.
Question 6
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The universe is thought to have begun with a huge explosion called the Big Bang.
(a)[1 mark]State one observation from distant galaxies that supports the idea that the universe is expanding.
(b)[2 marks]Describe what the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is.
Question 7
3 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Light from a distant galaxy has a wavelength of 660 nm. The same spectral line measured from our Sun is 600 nm. Calculate the speed at which the galaxy is moving relative to Earth. (Speed of light = m/s)
Question 8
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A scientist studies the light emitted from a nearby galaxy and observes that absorption lines have shifted compared to those from our Sun.
(a)What is this phenomenon, and what does it tell us about the motion of the galaxy relative to Earth?
(b)[2 marks]Explain why the absorption lines move towards the red end of the spectrum.
(b)[2 marks]Explain why the absorption lines move towards the red end of the spectrum.
Question 9
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Light from a distant galaxy shows an absorption line at a wavelength of 650 nm, while the same line from our Sun is at 520 nm. Calculate the speed at which the galaxy is moving relative to Earth. (Speed of light = )
Question 10
1 mark · Normal
Answer and see the solution →What is the name given to the type of electromagnetic radiation believed to be the afterglow of the Big Bang, detected from all directions in the universe?