Objectives

Lesson outcomes

  • Describe how spectral lines from distant galaxies are shifted to longer wavelengths and identify this as redshift.
  • Use the redshift relation to calculate recessional speed for a distant source.
  • Explain how redshift evidence supports the idea of an expanding universe.
  • Use Hubble's law to relate recessional speed to distance and connect that pattern to the Big Bang model.
Syllabus

CIE 9702 syllabus points

4 linked

Lesson Notes

Teacher and student guidance

Overview

Use redshift evidence and Hubble’s law to describe the expanding universe. Use this page for class notes, worked examples, and linked resources.

Key knowledge and explanations

  • Main idea: Use redshift evidence and Hubble’s law to describe the expanding universe.
  • Key definitions, models, equations, or diagrams to introduce.
  • One worked example, demonstration, or observation that makes the idea concrete.

Lesson flow

  1. Start with prior knowledge, context, or a short recall task.
  2. Work through the main explanation, method, diagram, or calculation for this lesson.
  3. Complete guided practice, discussion, calculations, or practical application.
  4. Review the learning with an exit prompt, short question, or summary task.

Checks for understanding

  • Use a hinge question aligned to the main objective(s) to check your understanding.
  • Use a short verbal, written, or numerical response to check for secure understanding.

Common mistakes or misconceptions

  • Watch for the likely misconception, error, or weak step in this lesson.
  • Review the comparison, model answer, or explanation that will correct it.

Follow-up

  • Complete the homework, retrieval task, or resource revisit linked to this lesson.
  • Note what you need to carry forward into the next lesson.
Lesson Resources

Materials for this lesson

Embed videos, slide decks, documents, or direct links in the frontmatter for each lesson.

Worksheet

Orbiting binary stars - Practice Questions + Solutions

Orbiting binary stars - Practice Questions + Solutions

Open resource