BTEC L2 Applied Science Unit 2: Analyzing the Solar System & Universe

This BTEC Level 2 Applied Science assignment focuses on the solar system and the universe, covering topics such as the composition of the solar system, evidence of the changing universe, and the Big Bang theory. The tasks include identifying and labeling components of the solar system, researching and describing red shift, outlining the Big Bang theory, explaining how red shift provides evidence of the expanding universe, evaluating evidence for the Big Bang theory using red shift and cosmic microwave background radiation, and analyzing data on galaxy distances and velocities to understand the changing universe. The assignment requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through diagrams, reports, and graph analysis, referencing provided resources to support their findings.

Running head: UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Assignment brief – QCF BTEC L2 Applied Science
P2rogramme Unit number and title
BTEC L2 Diploma in Applied Science Unit 2: Energy & our Universe
Learner name Assessor name
Victoria Nasil Iala J. Nagra
Issue date Hand-in date
(At start of lesson) Date handed in
24/01/2018 07/02/2018
Assignment title 5 The Solar system and Universe
In this assessment you will have opportunities to provide evidence against the following criteria.
Indicate the page numbers where the evidence can be found.
Criteria
reference To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that
the learner is able to: Task no.
Evidence:
Page
nos./other
Completed
by learner
P9 Describe the composition of the solar system 1
P10 Identify evidence that shows how the universe is
changing 2
M5 Describe the main theory of how the universe was
formed 3
M6 Explain how the evidence shows that the universe is
changing 4
D5 Evaluate the main theory of how the universe was
formed 5
D6 Evaluate the evidence that shows how the universe is
changing 6
Learner declaration
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own. I have clearly referenced any sources
used in the work. I understand that false declaration is a form of malpractice.
Learner signature:
Date:
Assessor declaration
I certify that to the best of my knowledge the evidence submitted for this assignment is the learner’s
own. The learner is required to clearly reference any sources used in the work.
Assessor signature:
Date:
Assignment brief – BTEC L2 Applied Science
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UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Scenario
You have recently had an interview for a new job as a physics
technician with a space research laboratory. As part of your induction
process you have been asked to show your knowledge about the
universe and the solar system. You must carry out a series of tasks to
show your knowledge and understanding.
 Task 4, 5 & 6 reports must be submitted through SafeAssign as
one WORD report with task headings.
Task 1 Complete the attached activity sheet about the solar system
Evidence you must
produce for this task Completed activity sheet (diagram and matching boxes activity)
Criteria covered by this task:
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion
reference
Describe the composition of the solar system 2 P9
Task 2 Complete the attached activity sheet about Red Shift and the universe
Evidence you must
produce for this task Complete the attached activity sheet (short report: approx. ½ side A4)
Criteria covered by this task:
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion
reference
Identify evidence that shows how the universe is changing 2 P10
Task 3 Complete the attached activity sheet about the Big Bang theory of
how the universe started
Evidence you must
produce for this task Complete the attached activity sheet (short report: ½ to 1 side A4)
Criteria covered by this task:
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion
reference
Describe the main theory of how the universe was formed 2 M5
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UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Task 4 Answer the questions on the attached activity sheet about how Red
Shift gives evidence about the changing universe
Evidence you must
produce for this task
Completed activity sheet (short report: ½ to 1 side A4)
Criteria covered by this task:
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion
reference
Explain how the evidence shows that the universe is changing 2 M6
Task 5 See the attached activity sheet about the main evidence for the Big
Bang explosion that occurred billions of years ago.
Evidence you must
produce for this task Report (max 1 side A4)
Criteria covered by this task:
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion
reference
Evaluate the main theory of how the universe was formed 2 D5
Task 6 See the attached activity sheet that gives you data about the distance
of different galaxies from Earth and the speed of the galaxies.
Evidence you must
produce for this task
Fully labelled graph and short report (½ to 1 side A4)
Criteria covered by this task:
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to: Unit Criterion
reference
Evaluate the evidence that shows how the universe is changing 2 D6
Sources of information http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/20932483
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65111000/jpg/
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UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
_65111376_hi001783817.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/
radiation/originsrev2.shtml
http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/18A.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/21c/
earth_universe/earth_stars_galaxiesrev1.shtml
http://www.universetoday.com/13810/why-are-distant-galaxies-moving-
away-faster/
http://phys.org/news/2015-10-galaxies-faster.html
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UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Activity sheet for Task 1) The Solar system
a) On the diagram below of the solar system identify and label:
 The Sun, the names of each planet, asteroid belt, an orbital pathway, empty
space
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Neptune
Uranus
Saturn
Jupiter Mars
Earth
Venus
Mercury
Orbital
Pathway
Pluto
Empty Space SunAsteroid Belt

UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Task 1 continued
b) Each of the terms below describes part of the solar system. Draw lines to match up
each term with the correct description.
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Asteroid The path taken by planets moving around the Sun
The Sun
Planet
Orbit
The Moon
One of many small rocks orbiting the Sun between
Jupiter and Mars.
Small ice lumps which orbit the Sun in a very
elongated orbit.
A star or large ball of gases that carries out nuclear
reactions releasing energy
A nearly spherical body which orbits the Sun in a near-
circular orbit.
Meteor
A natural satellite made of rock orbiting the Earth
Comet A rapidly passing luminous object seen in the
atmosphere.
Crater
A cavity resulting from a large impact or explosion.

UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Activity sheet for Task 2) Red shift and the Universe
Astronomers discovered a phenomenon in the universe called ‘red
shift’. Carry out research into ‘RED SHIFT’ and describe what
scientists mean by this phrase in the box below.
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The phenomenon of RED SHIFT means:
Astronomers use 'Red shift' to name the effect of the light waves being stretched.
Something similar happens to sound waves. Austrian mathematician called Christian Andreas
Doppler discovered that the frequency of sound waves changes if the source of sound and the
observer are moving relative to each other. This effect is called Doppler effect.

UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Activity sheet for task 3) How did the Universe begin ?
The Big Bang theory is a main theory that scientists have about how the universe began.
Carry out research into the BIG BANG theory. Outline the key ideas of this theory in the
box below.
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Big Bang theory

UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Activity sheet for task 4): Explaining evidence that the universe is changing
Use research and the diagrams above to help you to write a short word processed
report
(½-1 side A4) that explains:
a) What ‘red shift’ tells scientists about the way the universe is changing
Red shift is an example of application of Doppler Effect. In case if a train is approaching towards
a person he or she can hear its loud whistle clearly, the whistle will become low-pitched when that
train goes far away from that person. This is a practical example to show the inversely proportional
relationship between frequency and wavelength. In case of moving away from the light source the
wave length of light becomes longer. The longer wavelength causes red shift. Lights emitting from
most of the stars are red shifted which indicates the distance or space between observer and stars is
expanding (Bbc.co.uk 2014). This indicates the universe is expanding uniformly.
b) How ‘red shift’ tells them this
The relation between frequency and wavelength is inversely proportional which means if
frequency deceases, wavelength increases. In Doppler Effect when the object is moving away from
the observer, wavelength of light emitting from the object increases. In this case the shifting of light
happens towards the red side. This is called red shift. The lights emitting from the most of the stars
are red shifted which means that the light emitting from them is of longer wavelength(Bbc.co.uk
2014). This indicates the distance between the observers and the stars is increasing which implies
that the universe is expanding.
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UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Activity sheet for task 5) Evaluating evidence for the Big Bang theory
Write a short word processed report (max 1 side A4) that discusses a) –c) below to
evaluate the Big Bang theory of how the universe started.
a) Explain how the information from Red Shift helps to support the idea of an
explosion billions of years ago.
b) Explain how cosmic microwave background radiation helps to support the idea of
an explosion billions of years ago.
c) Explain how well you think this evidence supports the Big Bang theory.
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The idea of Red Shift and an
explosion Cosmic background radiation

UNIVERSE AND ENERGY
Activity sheet for task 6) Evaluating evidence that the universe is changing
Scientists have calculated the distance of some constellations (groups of galaxies) from the
Earth and the speeds that they are travelling away from Earth (velocity). This information is
shown in the table below.
Constellation Distance from Earth, d
(in millions of light years)
Velocity, v, of a galaxy in
the constellation
in km/s
Virgo 72 1 200
Perseus 400 6 667
Ursa Major 900 15 000
Corona Borealis 1200 20 000
Hydra 3600 60 000
a) Use Excel to plot a line graph of the data (Use Excel/Insert/scatter graph with
smooth lines).
b) Produce a short report (1/2-1 side A4) that answers the following:
i. What pattern or trend does your graph show you?
ii. Explain what this evidence suggests about the way that the universe is
changing
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