🎯 Common Question Types:
- Explain red shift and what it shows about galaxy motion [3 marks]
- State two pieces of evidence for the Big Bang [2 marks]
- Explain the CMBR as evidence for the Big Bang [3 marks]
- Explain why more distant galaxies have greater red shift [2 marks]
- Describe what an absorption spectrum is and how red shift is measured [3 marks]
📝 Key Command Words:
- Explain — give the physics reason and chain of logic
- State — brief answer, no explanation needed
- Describe — say what happens without giving full reasons
- Evaluate — consider the strength of evidence, not just describe it
- Suggest — reason from principles to a plausible answer
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Saying galaxies move "through space" away from us — space itself is expanding
- Forgetting that greater red shift = greater distance = faster recession
- Saying CMBR comes from a specific direction — it comes from ALL directions
- Describing the Big Bang as "an explosion in space" — it was the creation of space
- Confusing red shift (moving away, longer wavelength) with blue shift (moving towards, shorter wavelength)
This exam tips covers Exam Tips for Red Shift and Big Bang within Red Shift & Big Bang for GCSE Physics. Revise Red Shift & Big Bang in Space Physics for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 13 of 14 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for Red Shift & Big Bang
What is the orbital period of a geostationary satellite?
Explain why a geostationary satellite stays above the same point on Earth's surface.
Quick recall flashcards
What is red shift?
When a light source moves away from you, light waves are stretched to longer wavelengths, shifting towards the red end of the spectrum
What is blue shift?
When a light source moves towards you, waves are compressed, shifting towards the blue end of the spectrum