Edexcel IGCSE Physics (d) Cosmology Question Bank
Practise cosmology evidence and red-shift calculations, linking CMBR, galaxy spectra and distance-speed data to an expanding universe.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2019
- Course
- Physics 4PH1
Exam points
- use CMBR and galaxy red-shift as evidence for the Big Bang theory
- calculate observed wavelength from the red-shift equation, with c and matching units
- interpret distance-red-shift data to explain why further galaxies recede faster
Covered syllabus points
(d) Cosmology question 1
The Big Bang theory suggests that the Universe is approximately 14 billion years old.
Question (a)
(a)
Describe the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang until the present day.
[ 3 ]
Question (b)
(b)
Describe the evidence that supports the Big Bang theory.
[ 4 ]
(d) Cosmology question 2
Between 1929 and 1931, physicists Hubble and Humason investigated the red-shift of light from galaxies at different distances from the Earth.
The distance unit they used is the megaparsec (Mpc).
Question (a)
(a)
Describe what is meant by the term red-shift.
[ 2 ]
Question (b)
(b)
The graph shows some of the results of their investigation.
[ 5 ]
Question (i)
(i)
The reference wavelength of the light used in this investigation is 660 nm.
Use information from the graph to determine the velocity of a galaxy at a distance of 0.75 Mpc.
[speed of light = 300000 km/s]
velocity = ............ km/s
[ 3 ]
Question (ii)
(ii)
Explain why the graph from Hubble's investigation provides evidence for the expansion of the universe.
[ 2 ]
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