Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Astrophysics
156 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
61–70 of 78 · Easy
Question 61
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 62
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 63
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 64
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 65
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 66
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 67
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 68
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 69
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 70
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student is looking at the light spectra from two galaxies, Galaxy A and Galaxy B, using a spectrometer. She notices that the absorption lines for Galaxy B are further towards the red end of the spectrum than those in Galaxy A.
(a)[2 marks]What is the name for the shift of absorption lines towards the red end of the spectrum, and what does it indicate about a galaxy’s motion relative to us?
(b)[2 marks]If Galaxy B’s absorption lines have shifted more than Galaxy A’s, what can you deduce about the relative speeds and distances of the two galaxies from us?