Topic 8- Space Physics (Pre 2018)

Question 1

What does this increase in wavelength tell us about the movement of most galaxies

Answer 1

moving away

Question 2

Explain how this observation (galaxies moving away w increasing wavelength) supports the Big Bang theory of the formation of
the Universe.

Answer 2

the furthest galaxies show the biggest red shift

(meaning that) the furthest galaxies are moving fastest

(so the) Universe is expanding

the Universe started from
an initial point

Question 3

State one piece of evidence that supports the Big Bang theory of the
formation of the Universe.

Answer 3

cosmic microwave background radiation

Question 4

In 1965, scientists rejected the ‘steady state’ theory in favour of the ‘big bang’
theory.
Suggest what might cause scientists to stop supporting one theory and to start
supporting an alternative theory.

Answer 4

(new) evidence that supports / disproves a theory

Question 5

Why are telescopes that detect different types of electromagnetic waves used to observe the Universe?

Answer 5

stars / galaxies / sources emit all / different types of electromagnetic waves /
radiation

Question 6

What is red-shift?

Answer 6

wavelength (of light) increases
or
light moves to red end of
spectrum

Question 7

What does the measurement of its red-shift tell scientists about this star?

Answer 7

it is the star (detected) furthest from the Earth
or
it is moving away the fastest

Question 8

Describe the ‘big bang’ theory.

Answer 8

all matter compressed to / starts at / comes from a single point (massive) explosion sends matter outwards

Question 9

Suggest what scientists should do if new evidence were found that did not
support the ‘big bang’ theory.

Answer 9

check validity / reliability of the evidence

Question 10

How do the wavelength and frequency of the light from Andromeda seem to have
changed when viewed from the Earth?

Answer 10

wavelength is decreased
frequency is increased

Question 11

Explain why scientists believe that the Solar System was formed from the material
produced when earlier stars exploded.

Answer 11

solar system contains heavy elements / elements heavier than hydrogen
and helium
these (heavy) elements are / were formed by (nuclear) fusion
n a super nova / when stars explode

Question 12

Explain how the spectrum ‘shift’ of the dark line supports the theory that the
Universe began from a very small point.

Answer 12

line shifts towards red end of spectrum
wavelength (appears) to increase
galaxy is moving away

Question 13

When considering the origin of the universe, what is the difference between the ‘big
bang’ theory and the ‘steady state’ theory?

Answer 13

big bang theory – universe started at one point (then expanded)

steady state theory – universe has no origin / has always existed

Question 14

Why does red-shift provide evidence to support both the ‘big-bang’ theory and
the ‘steady state’ theory?

Answer 14

red-shift is evidence / supports idea of expanding universe
both theories use the idea / accept / explain why the universe is expanding

Question 15

The light arriving from distant galaxies provides scientists with evidence to
support the ‘Big Bang’ theory.
Explain how

Answer 15

light shows a red shift
galaxies moving away (from the Earth)

Question 16

What should scientists do when a theory does not appear to be supported by new
data?

Answer 16

check reliability / validity of data
amend theory

Question 17

How does the red-shift from distant galaxies provide evidence for the beginning of
the Universe?

Answer 17

red-shift shows galaxies are moving away
more distant galaxies show bigger red-shift
suggests single point of origin (of the universe)

Question 18

What do scientists believe is the origin of CMBR?

Answer 18

(radiation produced shortly after) ‘Big Bang’

Question 19

Why was the discovery of CMBR so important to the scientists believing the
‘Big Bang’ theory to be correct?

Answer 19

can only be explained by ‘Big Bang’

Question 20

How is the wavelength of CMBR likely to change, if at all, over the next billion
years?

Give a reason for your answer.

Answer 20

increase
universe continues to accelerate outwards

Question 21

Which type of electromagnetic wave has the shortest wavelength?

Answer 21

gamma

Question 22

State one difference between an ultraviolet wave and a visible light wave.

Answer 22

• (ultraviolet has a) higher frequency
• (ultraviolet has a) greater energy
• (ultraviolet has a) shorter wavelength

Question 23

What information can scientists find out about a galaxy when they measure
the size of the red-shift the galaxy produces?

Answer 23

distance
speed galaxy is moving

Question 24

Give one other way in which the Moon is different from the other satellites

Answer 24

• it’s natural

Question 25

Describe how stars are formed.

Answer 25

(enough) dust / gas (from space)

are pulled together

by gravitational attraction

Question 26

What is the relationship between the masses of the dust and gas in the cloud
in Stage 2 and the force of gravity between them?

Answer 26

the bigger the masses (of the dust and gases then) the bigger
the force / gravity (between them)

Question 27

What is the relationship between the distance apart of the dust and gas in the
cloud in Stage 2 and the force of gravity between them?

Answer 27

the greater the distance (between the dust and gases then) the
smaller the force / gravity (between them)

Question 28

What happens in Stage 4?

Answer 28

• hydrogen runs out / is used up
• nuclei larger than helium nuclei formed
• (star expands to) / become(s) a red giant

Question 29

Describe what will happen to the Sun from the time the hydrogen is used up until the
Sun “dies”.

Answer 29

• fusion decreases or stops
• collapses rapidly causing the (core) temperature to rise
• (inward) gravitational forces no longer balance (outward) pressure
• expands
• and becomes a red giant
• it cools
• then becomes a white dwarf
• helium may fuse

Question 30

Over billions of years the amount of hydrogen in a star decreases. Why?

Answer 30

converted into helium

Question 31

The inner planets of the solar system contain atoms of the heaviest elements.
(i) Where did these atoms come from?

Answer 31

supernova

Question 32

Explain how stars produce energy.

Answer 32

• nuclei / atoms of light elements fuse
• each (fusion) reaction releases energy / heat / light
• lots of reactions occur

Question 33

What evidence is there to suggest that the Sun was formed from the material
produced when an earlier star exploded?

Answer 33

presence of nuclei of the heaviest / heavy / heavier elements

Question 34

Explain what is meant by the term black hole.

Answer 34

(matter / mass) with such a high density / strong gravitational (field)

electromagnetic radiation / light is pulled in

Question 35

What is produced as the gases from a star spiral into a black hole?

Answer 35

X-rays

Question 36

Explain how atoms of very heavy elements, such as gold (Au), were formed.

Answer 36

fusion of other/lighter atoms/elements
during super nova/explosion of star(s

Question 37

Explain how, and when, atoms of different elements may be distributed throughout
the Universe.

Answer 37

explosion of star(s)/super nova
at the end of the ‘life’ of star

Question 38

Explain the difference between a protostar and a main sequence star.

Answer 38

a protostar is at a lower temperature
as (nuclear) fusion reactions have not started