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Date	May 2017	Marks available	2	Reference code	17M.3.SL.TZ2.12
Level	Standard level	Paper	Paper 3	Time zone	2
Command term	State	Question number	12	Adapted from	N/A

Question

A particular emission line in a distant galaxy shows a redshift z = 0.084.

The Hubble constant is H₀ = 68 km s^–1 Mpc^–1.

Describe what is meant by the Big Bang model of the universe.

[2]

State two features of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation which are consistent with the Big Bang model.

[2]

Determine the distance to the galaxy in Mpc.

[2]

c.i.

Describe how type Ia supernovae could be used to measure the distance to this galaxy.

[3]

c.ii.

Markscheme

theory in which all space/time/energy/matter were created at a point/singularity

at enormous temperature

with the volume of the universe increasing ever since or the universe expanding

OWTTE

[2 marks]

CMB has a black-body spectrum

wavelength stretched by expansion

is highly isotropic/homogenous

but has minor anisotropies predicted by BB model

T «= 2.7 K» is close to predicted value

For MP4 and MP5 idea of “prediction” is needed

[2 marks]

$\frac{v}{c} = z \Rightarrow v = 0.084 \times 3 \times {10^5} = 2.52 \times {10^4}$ «km $\,$ s^–1»

$d = \frac{v}{{{H_0}}} = \frac{{2.52 \times {{10}^4}}}{{68}} = 370.6 \approx 370$ «Mpc»

Allow ECF from MP1 to MP2.

[2 marks]

c.i.

type Ia have a known luminosity/are standard candles

measure apparent brightness

determine distance from d = $\sqrt {\frac{L}{{4\pi b}}}$

Must refer to type Ia. Do not accept other methods (parallax, Cepheids)

[3 marks]

c.ii.

Examiners report

[N/A]

c.i.

[N/A]

c.ii.

Syllabus sections

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

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State two characteristics of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation.
18N.3.SL.TZ0.13a:
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19N.3.SL.TZ0.11b(i):
Estimate the age of the universe in seconds using the Hubble constant H₀ = 70 km s^–1Mpc^–1.
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Describe what is meant by the Big Bang model of the universe.
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18N.3.HL.TZ0.19a:
Outline how Hubble measured the recessional velocities of galaxies.
18N.3.SL.TZ0.13b:
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Outline how Hubble’s law is related to $z$ .
20N.3.SL.TZ0.16a:
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18N.3.HL.TZ0.19b:
Use the graph to determine the age of the universe in s.
20N.3.HL.TZ0.21b:
Outline how Hubble’s law is related to $z$ .
20N.3.HL.TZ0.21a:
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Identify the assumption that you made in your answer to (a).
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Option D: Astrophysics » Option D: Astrophysics (Core topics)

Option D: Astrophysics

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