The Origins Of The Universe

Question 1

Explain the Big Bang theory

Answer 1

Scientists have gathered a lot of evidence and information about the universe, and have used observations to develop the Big Bang Theory. The theory states that originally all the matter in the universe was concentrated into a single incredibly tiny point. This began to enlarge rapidly in a hot explosion (called the Big Bang), and it is still expanding today. The Big Bang happened about 13.7 billion years ago (that’s 13,700,000,000 years using the scientific definition of 1 billion = 1,000 million).

Question 2

What is the Doppler effect?

Answer 2

You may have noticed that when an ambulance or police car goes past, its siren is high-pitched as it comes towards you, then becomes low-pitched as it goes away. This effect, where there is a change in frequency and wavelength, is called the Doppler effect.

Question 3

What is cosmic background radiation?

Answer 3

Scientists discovered that there are microwaves coming from every direction in space: this is called the cosmic microwave background radiation, or CMBR for short.
The CMBR comes from radiation created at the beginning of the universe. The Big Bang theory is the only theory at the moment that can explain the presence of the CMBR.