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GCSE level questions on the Earth in Space

Q13.

(a) The light from distant galaxies shows red-shift.

Complete the sentence: The term red-shift describes the observed increase in the wavelength of the light from a distant galaxy.

[1 mark]

(b) The Big Bang theory is one model used to explain the origin of the universe. How does the Big Bang theory describe the universe when it began?

It describes the Universe as being extremely hot and dense

[1 mark]

(c) The graph below shows data scientists have calculated from measurements of red-shift.

(i) Describe the relationship between the speed of a galaxy and the distance the galaxy is from the Earth.

The speed of a galaxy is directly proportional to its distance from Earth.

Just saying 'there is a positive correlation got you no marks.

[1 mark]

(ii) Tick the one of the following. Choose the one that is the same as 6 x 1012 terametres?

6 × 1015 m
 
6 × 1018 m
 
6 × 1021 m
  
6 × 1024 m

 

tera = 1012

so 6 x 1012 terametres = 6 x 1012 x 1012 metres = 6 × 1024 m

See S.I. Prefixes

[1 mark]

(iii) Explain how the data in the sketch-graph supports the suggestion that the universe began from a very small region.

It shows that the furthest galaxies are moving the fastest. This suggests that the universe is expanding outwards from a very small region.

[2 marks]

(d) The Big Bang theory suggested that gravity would slow the rate at which galaxies move away from the Earth.

(i) New observations suggest that distant galaxies are moving away from the Earth at an increasingly fast rate.

What do the new observations suggest is happening to the universe?

That it is expanding at an ever greater rate.

[1 mark]

(ii) New observations and data that do not fit existing theories should undergo peer review. Give one reason why peer review is an important process.

Any one from:

detects false claims and checks validity

detects inaccurate data and mistakes

detects bias

provides credibility by verifying new data

provides a consensus (of opinion)

You got no marks for saying it 'shows data is accurate' or 'proves a theory'.

[1 mark]

(e) The Andromeda galaxy is moving towards the Earth.

Describe how the wavelength and frequency of the light from Andromeda seem to have changed when viewed from the Earth.

The wavelength of light (seems to have) decreased and the frequency (seems to have) increased.

[2 marks]

(Total 10 marks)