The origin of the Universe

The table in Figure 16 shows some data about four stars.

State which star in the table in Figure 16 is most likely to become a Black Hole.

Using data from the table in Figure 16, give a reason for your answer to part (i).

In a nuclear fusion reaction, mass is converted into energy.

Describe what is meant by nuclear fusion.

The speed of light, c, is 3.0 × 10⁸m / s.

The energy radiated by the Sun in 1 second is 3.9 × 10²⁶J.

Calculate the decrease in the Sun’s mass equivalent to this energy.

State the unit with your answer.

Use the equation

decrease in mass =_........

*(c) There have been a number of theories about the origin and development of the Universe.

One theory about the origin and development of the Universe is The Big Bang Theory.

Discuss two pieces of evidence that support The Big Bang Theory.

Figure 19 shows two objects, E and D.

E emits a sound.

D detects the sound.

E is moving in the direction shown by the arrow, but D is not moving.

E emits a sound of wavelength 1.86 m.

D measures the wavelength of this sound as 1.98 m.

Calculate the difference between the wavelength that E emits and the wavelength that D detects.

The velocity of sound is 330 m / s.

Calculate the velocity of E.

Use the equation

The wavelength of light emitted from distant galaxies is different when the light is detected on Earth.

Explain how this difference in wavelength shows that the Universe is expanding.

CMB radiation provides evidence that the Universe had a definite beginning.

Use the table in Figure 20 to give a typical value for the wavelength of CMB radiation.

During the evolution of a star, the nebula collapses and becomes a main sequence star.

State what causes the nebula to collapse.

Explain why the nebula stops collapsing as it becomes a main sequence star.

Figure 6 shows two objects, E and D.

E emits a sound.

D detects the sound.

E is moving in the direction shown by the arrow, but D is not moving.

E emits a sound of wavelength 1.86 m.

D measures the wavelength of this sound as 1.98 m.

Calculate the difference between the wavelength that E emits and the wavelength that D detects.

The velocity of sound is 330 m / s.

Calculate the velocity of E.

Use the equation

The wavelength of light emitted from distant galaxies is different when the light is detected on Earth.

Explain how this difference in wavelength shows that the Universe is expanding.

CMB radiation provides evidence that the Universe had a definite beginning.

Use the table in Figure 7 to give a typical value for the wavelength of CMB radiation.

During the evolution of a star, the nebula collapses and becomes a main sequence star.

State what causes the nebula to collapse.

Explain why the nebula stops collapsing as it becomes a main sequence star.

The Big Bang and Steady State are two theories of the origin of the Universe.

Red shift and cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation have been discovered by observing the Universe.

Which line of the table links the evidence to the theory it supports?

Figure 7 shows two hydrogen spectra.

One spectrum is taken from a source on Earth.

The other spectrum is taken from a source on a distant galaxy.

The spectral lines in the spectrum from the distant galaxy are shifted towards the red end of the spectrum.

The wavelength of line X on Earth, λ_o = 6.5610^–7m

The wavelength of line X from the distant galaxy, λ_g = 6.7210^–7m

The red shift (z) is given by the equation

Show that the red shift for the light from the distant galaxy is about 0.025

The galaxy is moving away from the Earth at velocity, v (recession velocity).

The velocity of light, c = 3.0010⁸m/s

The recession velocity is given by the equation.

Calculate the recession velocity of the distant galaxy.

The wavelength of the spectral line X measured for a more distant galaxy was 6.9210^–7m.

Explain how this provides evidence that the Universe is expanding.

Observations of the Universe can be made using telescopes on Earth.

Explain why some telescopes are located on satellites that orbit the Earth.

The Big Bang theory is one theory for the origin of the Universe.

The Big Bang theory suggests:

• the Universe had a beginning

• the Universe is still expanding.

Which of these provides evidence that the Universe had a beginning?

Evidence that the Universe is still expanding comes from observations of light from distant galaxies.

Describe how light from distant galaxies shows that the Universe is still expanding.

The Steady State theory is also a theory about the origin of the Universe.

Give one similarity and one difference when comparing the Big Bang theory with the Steady State theory.

Observations of the expanding Universe have shown that the further away a galaxy is from the Earth, the faster the galaxy is moving away from the Earth.

Figure 15 shows how the velocity of galaxies is related to their distance from the Earth.

Mpc is a unit of distance used for large distances in space.

Use Figure 15 to estimate the velocity of a galaxy that is 15 Mpc away from the Earth.

Calculate the gradient of the line shown in Figure 15.

State the unit.

The gradient of the line in Figure 15 can be used to estimate the age of the Universe.

Explain why the gradient of the line in Figure 15 can only provide an estimate of the age of the Universe.

Equations

The Big Bang theory is one theory for the origin of the Universe.

The Big Bang theory suggests:

• the Universe had a beginning

• the Universe is still expanding.

Which of these provides evidence that the Universe had a beginning?

Evidence that the Universe is still expanding comes from observations of light from distant galaxies.

Describe how light from distant galaxies shows that the Universe is still expanding.

The Steady State theory is also a theory about the origin of the Universe.

Give one similarity and one difference when comparing the Big Bang theory with the Steady State theory.

Observations of the expanding Universe have shown that the further away a galaxy is from the Earth, the faster the galaxy is moving away from the Earth.

Figure 4 shows how the velocity of galaxies is related to their distance from the Earth.

Mpc is a unit of distance used for large distances in space.

Use Figure 4 to estimate the velocity of a galaxy that is 15 Mpc away from the Earth.

Calculate the gradient of the line shown in Figure 4.

State the unit.

The gradient of the line in Figure 4 can be used to estimate the age of the Universe.

Explain why the gradient of the line in Figure 4 can only provide an estimate of the age of the Universe.

Stars may originate as a nebula.

Describe the process that then occurs to produce the conditions necessary for nuclear fusion in a new star.

The energy, E, released in nuclear fusion is equivalent to loss in mass, m, according to the equation.

where c is the velocity of light.

c = 3.0010⁸ m/s

In 1 second, the energy radiated by the Sun is 3.8610²⁶ J.

Calculate the loss in mass of the Sun in 1 second.

*(b) The Big Bang theory gives an explanation for the origin of the Universe.

Explain how evidence supports the ideas that

● the Universe is expanding

● the Universe began at a single point.

A star has evolved to become a neutron star.

The mass, M, of the neutron star, of radius R, is given by

Use the equation to calculate the value for R.

Which row of the table is correct for both force and velocity?

Figure 20 shows a satellite orbiting the Earth.

State the name of the force that keeps the satellite in orbit around the Earth.

Draw an arrow on Figure 20 to show the direction of the force acting on the satellite, that keeps the satellite in orbit around the Earth.

Label this arrow ‘F’.

Satellites are used to gather data about the origin of the Universe.

The Big Bang theory is a theory about the origin of the Universe.

Evidence for the Big Bang theory is provided by red‑shift and CMB radiation.

Describe what is meant by red‑shift.

Explain how red‑shift provides evidence for the Big Bang theory.

The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite observed CMB radiation from 1989 to 1993.

State what the ‘M’ in CMB radiation stands for.

State what is meant by ‘cosmic background radiation’.

Explain how the presence of CMB radiation provides evidence for the Big Bang theory.

Which row of the table is correct for both force and velocity?

Figure 6 shows a satellite orbiting the Earth.

State the name of the force that keeps the satellite in orbit around the Earth.

Draw an arrow on Figure 6 to show the direction of the force acting on the satellite, that keeps the satellite in orbit around the Earth.

Label this arrow ‘F’.

Satellites are used to gather data about the origin of the Universe.

The Big Bang theory is a theory about the origin of the Universe.

Evidence for the Big Bang theory is provided by red-shift and CMB radiation.

Describe what is meant by red-shift.

Explain how red-shift provides evidence for the Big Bang theory.

The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite observed CMB radiation from 1989 to 1993.

State what the ‘M’ in CMB radiation stands for.

State what is meant by ‘cosmic background radiation’.

Explain how the presence of CMB radiation provides evidence for the Big Bang theory.