Exam-style question
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How does the redshift of a quasar relate to its distance from Earth?.
- A.Higher redshift indicates a closer distance.
- B.Higher redshift indicates a larger distance.
- C.Redshift has no relation to distance.
- D.Redshift indicates the age of the quasar.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Higher redshift indicates a larger distance.
Explanation
Why this works
The cause of a high redshift is the quasar's rapid recession from Earth, which stretches the light waves. This mechanism of wave stretching leads to the effect of increased redshift, which is directly correlated with the distance of the quasar.
Consequently, a higher redshift implies that the quasar is located further away in the expanding universe.
Common mistake
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