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Date November 2019 Marks available 1 Reference code 19N.3.HL.TZ0.16
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone 0 - no time zone
Command term State Question number 16 Adapted from N/A

Question

Evidence from the Planck space observatory suggests that the density of matter in the universe is about 32 % of the critical density of the universe.

Outline how the light spectra of distant galaxies are used to confirm hypotheses about the expansion of the universe.

[2]
a(i).

Light from a hydrogen source in a laboratory on Earth contains a spectral line of wavelength 122 nm. Light from the same spectral line reaching Earth from a distant galaxy has a wavelength of 392 nm. Determine the ratio of the present size of the universe to the size of the universe when the light was emitted by the galaxy.

[2]
a(ii).

State what is meant by the critical density.

[1]
b(i).

Calculate the density of matter in the universe, using the Hubble constant 70 km s–1 Mpc–1.

[3]
b(ii).

It is estimated that less than 20 % of the matter in the universe is observable. Discuss how scientists use galactic rotation curves to explain this.

[2]
b(iii).

Markscheme

spectra of galaxies are redshifted «compared to spectra on Earth» ✔

redshift/longer wavelength implies galaxies recede/ move away from us
OR
redshift is interpreted as cosmological expansion of space ✔

«hence universe expands»

NOTE: Universe expansion is given, so no mark for repeating this.
Do not accept answers based on CMB radiation.

a(i).

ALTERNATIVE 1

z=392-122122=2.21 

RR0=«2.21+1=»3.21 

ALTERNATIVE 2

RR0=392122 

= 3.21 

a(ii).

density of flat/Euclidean universe
OR
density for which universe has zero curvature
OR
density resulting in universe expansion rate tending to zero ✔

b(i).

H=«70×103106×3.26×9.46×1015=»2.27×10-18«s-1»

ρ=0.32×3×2.27×10-1828π×6.67×10-11

3.0×10-27«kgm-3»

NOTE: MP1 for conversion of H to base units.
Allow ECF from MP1, but NOT if H is left as 70.

b(ii).

rotation speed of galaxies is larger than expected away from the centre ✔

there must be more mass «at the edges» than is visually observable «indicating the presence of dark matter» ✔

b(iii).

Examiners report

[N/A]
a(i).
[N/A]
a(ii).
[N/A]
b(i).
[N/A]
b(ii).
[N/A]
b(iii).

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)
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