6.2.6

Red-shift

Test yourself

Red-shift

Light from distant objects in space becomes shifted towards the red end of the spectrum. This effect is called red-shift.

Illustrative background for Red-shiftIllustrative background for Red-shift ?? "content

Red-shift

  • As an object moves away from us, the wavelength of light that the object emits (sends out) gets longer.
  • The light gets redder because red has the longest wavelength of the visible colours.
  • This effect is called red-shift.
  • The faster the object is moving away from us, the longer its wavelength gets and the redder it appears.
Illustrative background for Evidence for an expanding universeIllustrative background for Evidence for an expanding universe ?? "content

Evidence for an expanding universe

  • Light from distant galaxies in space is red-shifted.
  • The further a galaxy is from Earth, the greater the red-shift.
    • This means that the further away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving away from us.
  • This is evidence that the universe is expanding.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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