The Universe
6.2.3What the syllabus asks of you
- Know that the Milky Way is one of many billions of galaxies making up the Universe and that the diameter of the Milky Way is approximately 100 000 light-years
- Describe redshift as an increase in the observed wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted from receding stars and galaxies
- Know that the light from distant galaxies shows redshift and that the further away the galaxy, the greater the observed redshift and the faster the galaxy’s speed away from the Earth
- Describe, qualitatively, how redshift provides evidence for the Big Bang theory
Read the notes first
Chapter 6: The Universe
Drill this topic
Every question on The Universe, untimed, marked as you go.
Make a worksheet
Choose the years and how many questions, then print it with the answers on separate pages.
6 questions
1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aequal to $f_e$; greater than $\lambda_e$
Bequal to $f_e$; less than $\lambda_e$
Cless than $f_e$; greater than $\lambda_e$
Dless than $f_e$; less than $\lambda_e$
Mark scheme
2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
A1, 2 and 3
B1 and 2 only
C1 and 3 only
D2 and 3 only
Mark scheme
3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aboth student 1 and student 2
Bstudent 1 only
Cstudent 2 only
Dneither student 1 nor student 2
Mark scheme
4Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Aan increase frequency receding
Ba decrease frequency approaching
Can increase wavelength receding
Dan increase wavelength approaching
Mark scheme
5Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Athe increase in observed frequency of light from galaxies that are moving away from the Earth
Bthe increase in observed wavelength of light from galaxies that are moving away from the Earth
Cthe light emitted by distant galaxies that is blue when it reaches the Earth
Dthe light reaching the Earth that is red when it is emitted by distant galaxies
Mark scheme
6Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q40Show mark scheme →
Acloser to the Earth: X; faster recession: X
Bcloser to the Earth: X; faster recession: Y
Ccloser to the Earth: Y; faster recession: X
Dcloser to the Earth: Y; faster recession: Y
Mark scheme