Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Cosmology
37 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
1–10 of 18 · Easy
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
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 10
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)