Chapter 1 Flashcards
something that answers the question “why and how” and it has been tested repeatedly and has so far always been true.
Theory
scientific study of the physical universe (origin, evolution, fate)
Cosmology
science of celestial bodies and phenomena (characteristics, position, motion, composition)
Astronomy
It states that the universe began as a hot and infinitely dense point. This tiny “singularity” violently exploded, and from that explosion, all matter, energy, space, and time were created.
The big bang theory
Proofs of big bag
Hubble’s law
Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation
Abundance of light elements
Galaxies have been observed to be moving from the Earth at speeds that are proportional to their distance.
• Supports the expansion of the universe and suggests that it was once compacted
Hubble’s law
• Pervades (spread through) ALL the known universe.
• The CMB is the evidence of the theory’s statement that if the universe was extremely hot and extremely small at one point in time, then there should be evidence of this extreme temperature across the universe
Cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation
•The sheer volume of light elements, Hydrogen and Helium in the observable universe.
•Supports the model since these are the first elements to form in the high- energy environment during and shortly after the Big Bang.
Abundance of light elements
Expansion implies that at some point the universe was smaller
… if it is expanding, the universe must have been smaller
Streak of light seen when a meteoroid heats up in the atmosphere
Meteor
Rocky body smaller than a planet that orbits the sun
Asteroid
Meteor fragment that reaches the ground
Meteorite
Icy body that releases gases as it orbits the sun
Comet
Rocky or metallic fragment of an asteroid, comet, or planet
Meteoroid
Models of the universe
Geocentric Model by Claudius Ptolemy
Heliocentric Model by Nicolaus Copernicus
Earth-centered
• The sun, moon, stars and the 5 planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) moved around the Earth.
• Planets moved with respect to fixed stars, changing brightness, changing speed, and having retrograde motion.
Geocentric model by Claudius Ptolemy