What is the evidence for the Big Bang theory?

Absorption spectra from distant galaxies consist of bands of coloured light crossed with black lines. The wavelengths of these black lines are shifted towards the red end of the spectrum when compared with light from similar sources in the laboratory. The black lines from more distant galaxies are therefore more "red-shifted", and this is due to the expansion of space itself. This evidence suggests that the Universe began its existence at a single point and has expanded outwards ever since.
Cosmic microwave background radiation, or "CMBR", on the other hand initially existed as very small wavelength radiation, such as gamma radiation, but an expanding Universe has caused the wavelength to increase into the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

AM
Answered by Aled M. Physics tutor

6059 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

a )John heats up 2kg of water from 20 degrees c to 80 degrees c. How much energy input did this require? b )When John weighs the water at the end, he has less than he started with. Why might this be? c) What hazards are in this experiment?


A sound wave has a frequency of 500 Hz. The sound wave has a wavelength of 0.34 m in air. Calculate the speed of the sound wave in air?


A bat emits a sound wave with a frequency of 25.0 kHz and a wavelength of 0.0136 metres. Calculate the speed of this sound wave.


What's the difference between a vector and a scalar?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning