Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Hubble's law and the Big Bang theory

Hubble's law and the Big Bang theory — practice question

(a)[2]

State what Hubble’s law says.

(b)

A star in a distant galaxy emits radiation whose maximum intensity of emission is at a wavelength of $4.62\times10^{-7}\,\text{m}$. Observations of the galaxy made on the Earth detect the star’s maximum emission intensity at a wavelength of $4.91\times10^{-7}\,\text{m}$.

(b(i))[2]

Explain why the observed wavelength is different from the emitted wavelength.

(b(ii))[2]

Calculate the speed of the star relative to the Earth.

(b(iii))[2]

The wavelength of maximum intensity of emission is used to find a value for the star’s surface temperature. Explain how the temperature found from the observed wavelength compares with the true temperature value found from the emitted wavelength.

(c)[2]

A value for the Hubble constant is $2.3\times10^{-18}\,\text{s}^{-1}$. Use your answer in (b)(ii) to find the distance of the star in (b) from the Earth.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: recession speed is directly proportional to distance

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