The Universe: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Light is emitted from a distant galaxy with a frequency $f_{\text{e}}$ and a wavelength ${\lambda }_{\text{e}}$. The light from the galaxy, when observed on Earth, has a frequency $f_{\text{o}}$ and a wavelength ${\lambda }_{\text{o}}$.

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the definition of redshift?

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The Big Bang theory describes the expansion of the Universe. Three statements that relate to the Big Bang theory are listed. 1 Distant galaxies are receding faster than closer galaxies.

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• Question 9May/June 2025, paper 21Structured10 marks

  The life cycle of a star begins with a large cloud of dust and gas which collapses. Five later stages of the life cycle of a very massive star are: black hole protostar red supergiant stable star supernova Place these stages in Table 9.1 in the order in which they occur.

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• Question 8May/June 2024, paper 22Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 8.1 is a picture of a nebula formed from a supernova. State what is meant by ‘a supernova’.

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  When observed on the Earth, the redshift of the light from galaxy X is smaller than the redshift of the light from galaxy Y. Which galaxy is closer to the Earth and which galaxy is receding from the Earth faster?

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• Question 10May/June 2023, paper 22Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Astronomical distances are measured in light-years. State what is meant by ‘a light-year’.

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