Big Bang Theory

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What is the Big Bang Theory?

A scientific explanation of how the universe expanded from an extremely hot and dense state.

Approximately how long ago did the Big Bang occur?

About 13.8 billion years ago.

What did the Big Bang create?

Space, time, matter, and energy.

What evidence supports the Big Bang Theory?

The cosmic microwave background radiation and the expansion of the universe.

Who was one of the first scientists to propose the Big Bang Theory?

Georges Lemaître.

What is cosmic microwave background radiation?

It is the thermal radiation left over from the time of recombination in Big Bang cosmology.

What does the redshift of galaxies imply about the universe?

That the universe is expanding.

What is singularity in the context of the Big Bang?

A point in time where the universe is thought to be infinitely dense and infinitely hot.

What is the significance of Hubble's Law to the Big Bang Theory?

It supports the theory with the observation that galaxies are moving away from us.

What is nucleosynthesis in Big Bang Theory?

The process of formation of new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons (such as protons and neutrons).

What elements were formed in the first few minutes of the Big Bang?

Hydrogen, helium, and traces of lithium.

What is inflation in the context of the Big Bang?

A rapid expansion of the universe that happened just after the Big Bang.

How does the Big Bang Theory explain the uniformity of the universe?

Inflation theory suggests rapid expansion smoothed out irregularities.

What is a possible fate of the universe as per the Big Bang Theory?

Possibilities include continuous expansion, collapse back into a singular state, or reaching a stable size.

How does the Big Bang Theory differ from the Steady State Theory?

Unlike the Steady State Theory, the Big Bang Theory suggests the universe had a definite beginning.





Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option


1. What is the Big Bang Theory?

A casual explanation of star formation and movement.

A hypothesis for the formation of our solar system.

A scientific explanation of how the universe expanded from an extremely hot and dense state.

A philosophical concept about time.

2. Approximately how long ago did the Big Bang occur?

About 13.8 billion years ago.

About 4.6 billion years ago.

About 10 million years ago.

About 1 trillion years ago.

3. What did the Big Bang create?

Only stars and galaxies.

Space, time, matter, and energy.

Planets and moons only.

Just energy.

4. What evidence supports the Big Bang Theory?

The cosmic microwave background radiation and the expansion of the universe.

The position of Jupiter's moons.

The distribution of black holes in the universe.

The planetary orbits around the sun.

5. Who was one of the first scientists to propose the Big Bang Theory?

Stephen Hawking.

Albert Einstein.

Georges Lemaître.

Isaac Newton.

6. What is cosmic microwave background radiation?

It is the thermal radiation left over from the time of recombination in Big Bang cosmology.

The light emitted by stars in distant galaxies.

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Infrared radiation from the Earth's atmosphere.

7. What does the redshift of galaxies imply about the universe?

That the universe is contracting.

That the universe is expanding.

That the universe is stationary.

That the universe is rotating.

8. What is singularity in context of the Big Bang?

A point in time where the universe is thought to be infinitely dense and infinitely hot.

A specific type of black hole.

The center of our galaxy.

A theory about infinite time.

9. What is the significance of Hubble's Law to the Big Bang Theory?

It supports the theory with the observation that galaxies are moving away from us.

It predicts the end of the universe.

It explains the composition of stars.

It describes the structure of the Milky Way.

10. What is nucleosynthesis in Big Bang Theory?

The process of formation of new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons (such as protons and neutrons).

The splitting of atoms to create energy.

The creation of stars.

Formation of rocks and minerals.

11. What elements were formed in the first few minutes of the Big Bang?

Iron and nickel.

Carbon and oxygen.

Hydrogen, helium, and traces of lithium.

Lead and gold.

12. What is inflation in the context of the Big Bang?

A rapid expansion of the universe that happened just after the Big Bang.

An increase in temperature of stars.

The process of star formation.

An economic term unrelated to cosmology.

13. How does the Big Bang Theory explain the uniformity of the universe?

By suggesting matter was evenly distributed initially.

Inflation theory suggests rapid expansion smoothed out irregularities.

By assuming that only local galaxies form a uniform pattern.

Through gravitational pull of nearby galaxies.

14. What is a possible fate of the universe as per the Big Bang Theory?

Return to its original state.

Stay as it is forever.

Possibilities include continuous expansion, collapse back into a singular state, or reaching a stable size.

Transition into a multiverse.

15. How does the Big Bang Theory differ from the Steady State Theory?

The Big Bang Theory proves the universe is shrinking.

Unlike the Steady State Theory, the Big Bang Theory suggests the universe had a definite beginning.

Both theories are identical in explaining the universe's origin.

Big Bang Theory denies the existence of other galaxies.