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

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

(a)[3]

Explain how redshift shows that the Universe is expanding.

(b(i))[2]

A distant galaxy contains stars that emit radiation. The total luminosity of the stars in the galaxy is $1.90 \times 10^{36}\,\text{W}$. The emission spectrum of the radiation includes a line X at a wavelength of $658\,\text{nm}$. Radiation from the galaxy is observed on the Earth. The observed radiation has a radiant flux intensity of $8.42 \times 10^{-16}\,\text{W m}^{-2}$. In the observed emission spectrum, line X is at a wavelength of $726\,\text{nm}$. Determine the distance $d$ of the galaxy from the Earth.

(b(ii))[2]

Determine the speed $v$ of the galaxy in relation to the Earth.

(b)

A distant galaxy contains stars that emit radiation. The total luminosity of the stars in the galaxy is $1.90 \times 10^{36}\,\text{W}$. The emission spectrum of the radiation contains a line $X$ at a wavelength of $658\,\text{nm}$. Radiation from the galaxy is observed on the Earth. The observed radiation has a radiant flux intensity of $8.42 \times 10^{-16}\,\text{W m}^{-2}$. In the observed emission spectrum, line $X$ is at a wavelength of $726\,\text{nm}$. Determine:

(c)

When many galaxies, such as the one in (b), provide many pairs of values of $d$ and $v$, plotting these values shows a pattern.

(c(i))[2]

On Fig. 10.1, sketch how $v$ varies with $d$.

(c(ii))[1]

State the physical quantity shown by the gradient of the line in Fig. 10.1.

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