Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Chapter
Cosmology
37 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
11–19 of 19 · Normal
Question 11
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?
Question 12
1 mark · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Which of the following statements does NOT support the Big Bang theory?
- A.Red-shift in the spectra of galaxies
- B.Cosmic microwave background radiation
- C.Observation that the universe is expanding
- D.Blue-shift in the spectra of galaxies
Question 13
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Describe two pieces of evidence that support the Big Bang theory.
Question 14
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is an important piece of evidence for the Big Bang theory.
Question 15
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Light from a galaxy is measured, and the absorption lines are found to be shifted by 200 nm compared to the reference wavelength of 500 nm on Earth.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the velocity of the galaxy relative to Earth. (Speed of light = 3.0 × 10^8 m/s)
(b)[1 mark]State whether the galaxy is moving towards or away from Earth.
Question 16
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →What is meant by the term ‘red-shift’ and what does it suggest about the universe?
Question 17
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student is studying two galaxies, Galaxy X and Galaxy Y. She notices that the absorption lines in the spectrum of Galaxy Y are shifted more towards the red end of the spectrum than those of Galaxy X.
(a)[2 marks]Describe what is meant by the term 'red-shift' in the context of light spectra from galaxies.
(b)[2 marks]Explain what the observation about the absorption lines tells us about the relative velocities and distances of Galaxy X and Galaxy Y from Earth.
(c)[1 mark]State how this evidence is related to the theory that the universe began with a Big Bang.
Question 18
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Light from a galaxy has a measured wavelength of 660 nm. The same absorption line in the Sun's spectrum has a wavelength of 600 nm.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the change in wavelength observed for the galaxy's light compared to the Sun's light.
(b)[3 marks]Using the Doppler equation, calculate the speed at which the galaxy is moving away from Earth. Use the speed of light as m/s.
(c)[1 mark]State whether this galaxy is moving towards or away from Earth, and explain your answer.
Question 19
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Astronomers use two main types of evidence to support the idea that the universe began with a Big Bang: cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation and red-shift of galaxies.
(a)[2 marks]Describe what cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is.
(b)[2 marks]Explain how CMB radiation and red-shift together act as evidence for the Big Bang theory.