Big Bang Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the Big Bang theory?
The Big Bang theory is the leading explanation for the origin of the universe, suggesting it began as a singularity and expanded over time.
True or False: The Big Bang theory states that the universe is static and unchanging.
False
Fill in the blank: The universe began approximately _____ billion years ago.
13.8
What are the primary pieces of evidence supporting the Big Bang theory?
Cosmic microwave background radiation, the abundance of light elements, and the redshift of distant galaxies.
What is cosmic microwave background radiation?
Cosmic microwave background radiation is the afterglow radiation from the Big Bang, filling the universe and detectable in all directions.
Which element is most abundant in the universe as predicted by the Big Bang nucleosynthesis?
Hydrogen
What does the redshift of galaxies indicate?
The redshift of galaxies indicates that the universe is expanding.
Multiple Choice: What event does the Big Bang theory describe?
A) The formation of stars B) The origin of the universe C) The end of the universe D) The formation of planets
Short Answer: Who first proposed the idea of the expanding universe?
Edwin Hubble
What is dark energy?
Dark energy is a mysterious force that is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe.
True or False: The universe is currently believed to be in a state of contraction.
False
What is the significance of Hubble’s Law?
Hubble’s Law provides evidence for the expansion of the universe, showing that galaxies are moving away from us at speeds proportional to their distance.
Fill in the blank: The observable universe is about _____ times larger than the visible universe.
93 billion light-years
What is the role of the inflationary model in the Big Bang theory?
The inflationary model proposes a rapid expansion of the universe at the very beginning, explaining the uniformity of the cosmic microwave background.
Short Answer: What does the term ‘singularity’ refer to in the context of the Big Bang?
A singularity refers to a point where density and gravitational forces are infinitely high, marking the beginning of the universe.
What is baryonic matter?
Baryonic matter is the type of matter that makes up stars, planets, and living beings, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
True or False: The Big Bang theory is universally accepted among scientists.
True
What is the significance of the abundance of helium and lithium in the universe?
The abundance of helium and lithium supports the predictions of Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a prediction of the Big Bang theory?
A) Cosmic microwave background radiation B) The existence of black holes C) The abundance of light elements D) The expansion of the universe
Fill in the blank: The Big Bang theory was first proposed in the early _____ century.
20th
What is a light-year?
A light-year is the distance that light travels in one year, approximately 5.88 trillion miles.
Short Answer: What major discovery did Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson make in 1965?
They discovered the cosmic microwave background radiation.
What does the term ‘cosmology’ refer to?
Cosmology is the scientific study of the large scale properties and evolution of the universe.
True or False: The Big Bang theory explains the formation of black holes.
False
