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Question 1 of 16 in THE DOPPLER EFFECT

THE DOPPLER EFFECT

1 mark · Easy

State what is meant by red-shift in the context of galaxies.

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Red-shift is the increase in wavelength of light from a galaxy as it moves away from the observer.

Also accept: The light from a galaxy is stretched to longer wavelengths as it moves away.; Red-shift refers to the movement of spectral lines towards the red end of the spectrum when a galaxy is moving away.

Common mistakes: Confusing with blue-shift.; Mistaking red-shift for a change in brightness.

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B1 · 1 mark · Clear statement that red-shift means an increase in observed wavelength from a galaxy moving away from the observer.

Worked solution

Red-shift is when light from a galaxy has its wavelength increased as the galaxy moves away from us.

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