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Date November 2014 Marks available 2 Reference code 14N.3.HL.TZ0.5
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 0
Command term Estimate Question number 5 Adapted from N/A

Question

This question is about the Hubble constant.

A recent estimate for the value of the Hubble constant is 70 km1Mpc1.

Estimate, in seconds, the age of the universe.

[2]
a.

The wavelength of the lines in the absorption spectrum of hydrogen is 656.3 nm when measured on Earth. Analysis of light from a distant galaxy shows that the same line has a wavelength of 725.6 nm. Determine the recessional velocity of the distant galaxy.

[2]
b.

Markscheme

T=1H (=170 kms1Mpc1);

T=(170000 s1×106×9.46×1015×3.26=) 4.4×1017 s;

a.

(Δλλ=vc)

Δλλ=725.6656.3656=0.106;

v=(Δλλ×c=0.106×3×108=) 3.17×107 ms1;

b.

Examiners report

The majority of candidates answered both questions well.

a.

The majority of candidates answered both questions well.

b.

Syllabus sections

Option D: Astrophysics » Option D: Astrophysics (Core topics) » D.3 – Cosmology
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