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Date May 2019 Marks available 2 Reference code 19M.3.HL.TZ1.20
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone 1
Command term Compare and contrast Question number 20 Adapted from N/A

Question

The graph shows the variation with time of the cosmic scale factor R of the universe for the flat model of the universe without dark energy.

Light from distant galaxies is redshifted. Explain the cosmological origin of this redshift.

[2]
a.

Draw, on the axes, a graph to show the variation with time of the cosmic scale factor R for the flat model of the universe with dark energy.

[1]
b.i.

Compare and contrast, the variation with time of the temperature of the cosmic background (CMB) radiation, for the two models from the present time onward.

[2]
b.ii.

Markscheme

«according to general relativity» space expands stretching distances between far away objects ✔

wavelengths of photons «received a long time after they were emitted» are thus longer leading to the observed redshift ✔

Do not accept references to the Doppler effect.

a.

 ✔

b.i.

«since 1 R » the temperature drops for both models ✔

but in the accelerating model R increases faster and so the temperature drops faster ✔

b.ii.

Examiners report

Cosmological origin of redshift. The cosmological redshift and variation with time of the cosmic scale factor proved to be a well-mastered concept by many students.

a.

Cosmological origin of redshift. The cosmological redshift and variation with time of the cosmic scale factor proved to be a well-mastered concept by many students.

b.i.

In (ii) however, many candidates did not directly answer the question, making little to no reference of temperature.

b.ii.

Syllabus sections

Option D: Astrophysics » Option D: Astrophysics (Additional higher level option topics) » D.5 – Further cosmology (HL only)
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Option D: Astrophysics » Option D: Astrophysics (Additional higher level option topics)
Option D: Astrophysics

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