The Big Bang Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the Big Bang theory?

A

The theory that the universe began as a hot, dense point and has been expanding ever since.

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2
Q

True or False: The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe is constantly shrinking.

A

False

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3
Q

When did the Big Bang occur?

A

Approximately 13.8 billion years ago.

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4
Q

What evidence supports the Big Bang theory?

A

Cosmic microwave background radiation, redshift of galaxies, abundance of light elements.

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5
Q

What is cosmic microwave background radiation?

A

Radiation left over from the early universe that fills the entire cosmos.

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6
Q

What is redshift of galaxies?

A

The phenomenon where light from distant galaxies is shifted towards longer wavelengths, indicating they are moving away from us.

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7
Q

What are light elements?

A

Hydrogen, helium, and small amounts of lithium and beryllium, which were formed in the early universe.

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8
Q

What is the singularity in the Big Bang theory?

A

A point of infinite density and temperature where the universe began.

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9
Q

What is the age of the universe according to the Big Bang theory?

A

Approximately 13.8 billion years.

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10
Q

What is the cosmic microwave background radiation temperature currently?

A

Approximately 2.73 Kelvin.

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11
Q

What is the name of the mission that mapped the cosmic microwave background radiation in detail?

A

Planck mission.

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12
Q

What is the term used to describe the expansion of the universe?

A

Cosmological expansion.

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13
Q

What is the fate of the universe according to the Big Bang theory?

A

Either it will continue expanding indefinitely or it will eventually collapse in a ‘Big Crunch’.

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14
Q

What is the ‘Big Crunch’ in the context of the Big Bang theory?

A

The hypothetical scenario where the universe stops expanding and collapses back in on itself.

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15
Q

What is the name of the galaxy that is closest to the Milky Way?

A

Andromeda Galaxy.

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16
Q

What is the Hubble constant?

A

A measure of the rate of expansion of the universe.

17
Q

What is dark energy?

A

A mysterious force that is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate.

18
Q

What is dark matter?

A

An invisible substance that makes up a large portion of the universe’s mass and has gravitational effects on visible matter.

19
Q

What is the name of the satellite launched by NASA to study the cosmic microwave background radiation?

A

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP).

20
Q

What is the term used to describe the initial rapid expansion of the universe?

A

Inflation.

21
Q

What is the name of the scientist who first proposed the Big Bang theory?

A

Georges Lemaître.

22
Q

What is the name of the physicist who provided theoretical support for the Big Bang theory?

A

George Gamow.

23
Q

What is the name of the astronomer who discovered the redshift of galaxies, providing evidence for the expanding universe?

A

Edwin Hubble.

24
Q

What is the name of the element that is most abundant in the universe?

A

Hydrogen.

25
Q

What is the name of the theory that suggests the universe will continue expanding indefinitely?

A

Heat Death.