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Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation — Edexcel GCSE Physics Definition | GradeGen

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Physics
Key terms
Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation

GCSE Physics · key term

Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation

Definition

Faint microwave radiation arriving from all directions in space, left over from the hot early Universe.

Used by Edexcel

How each exam board covers it

Edexcel GCSE Physics · 1PH0

Specification 7.9P, 7.10P · Paper 1

Two important observations are red-shift and cosmic microwave background radiation.
Revise: Evidence for Big Bang
Microwave radiation arriving from all directions in space, interpreted as cooled radiation remaining from the hot early Universe.
Revise: Accepted Model

Edexcel Physics past papers

Exam tips

1
Link each observation to the conclusion it supports: red-shift indicates expansion; the CMB is evidence of a hot early Universe.

Related key terms

Big Bang theory
Red-shift
Absorption line
Scientific model
Steady State theory

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