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GCSE level questions on the Earth in Space

Q6.

(a) A student listens to the sound waves produced by a car siren. When the car is stationary, the student hears a constant frequency sound. Describe how the wavelength and frequency of the sound waves heard by the student change when the car is driven away from the student. (2 marks)

 

(b) Satellites fitted with various telescopes orbit the Earth. These telescopes detect different types of electromagnetic radiation. Why are telescopes that detect different types of electromagnetic waves used to observe the Universe? (1 mark)

 

(c) In 2005 a space telescope detected a star that exploded 13 billion years ago. The light from the star shows the biggest red-shift ever measured.

(i) What is red-shift?(1 mark)

(ii) What does the measurement of its red-shift tell scientists about this star? (1 mark)

(d) Red-shift provides evidence for the 'big bang' theory.

(i) Describe the 'big bang' theory.(2 marks)

(ii) Suggest what scientists should do if new evidence were found that did not support the 'big bang' theory. (1 mark)

(Total 8 marks)