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Date November 2020 Marks available 1 Reference code 20N.3.HL.TZ0.24
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone 0 - no time zone
Command term State Question number 24 Adapted from N/A

Question

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is observed to have anisotropies.

State the nature of the anisotropies observed in the CMB radiation.

[1]
a.

Identify two possible causes of the anisotropies in (a).

[2]
b.

Markscheme

the temperature/«peak» wavelength/intensity «of the CMBR» varies «slightly» / is not constant in different directions

a.

quantum fluctuations «that have expanded»

density perturbations «that resulted in galaxies and clusters of galaxies»

dipole distortion «due to the motion of the Earth»

b.

Examiners report

This was not the best answered question in the Option. Candidates oscillated between correct identification of characteristics of the CMB radiation and more generic explanations about the Big Bang.

a.

Those who correctly identified specific characteristics of the CMB radiation were able to quote causes for this during the early Big Bang.

b.

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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