Flashcards on History and Development of the Big Bang Theory
What does the Big Bang Theory propose?
The Big Bang Theory proposes that the universe began as a singularity approximately 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.
Who first proposed the concept of an expanding universe?
Georges Lemaître first proposed the concept of an expanding universe in 1927.
Which discovery by Edwin Hubble supported the Big Bang Theory?
Edwin Hubble's observation of redshift in distant galaxies, indicating that they are moving away from us, supported the Big Bang Theory.
What does cosmic microwave background radiation mean in the context of the Big Bang Theory?
Cosmic microwave background radiation is the thermal remnant radiation from the Big Bang, acting as strong evidence for the theory.
How does the Big Bang Theory explain the abundance of light elements?
The Big Bang Theory explains that in the first few minutes after the Big Bang, conditions allowed for nuclear reactions that formed light elements like hydrogen, helium, and lithium.
What role did Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson play in the Big Bang Theory?
Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discovered the cosmic microwave background radiation, which provided strong evidence for the Big Bang Theory.
Which theory challenged the Big Bang Theory before it gained wider acceptance?
The Steady State Theory challenged the Big Bang Theory before the cosmic microwave background radiation was discovered.
What is Hubble's Law?
Hubble's Law states that the farther away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving away, supporting the notion of an expanding universe.
Why is the Big Bang Theory considered a cosmological model?
The Big Bang Theory is considered a cosmological model because it aims to explain the origin and evolution of the universe.
What is singularity in the context of the Big Bang Theory?
A singularity refers to an infinitely small, dense point where the laws of physics as we know them break down, representing the state of the universe at its beginning.
How do scientists estimate the age of the universe according to the Big Bang Theory?
Scientists estimate the age of the universe by measuring the rate of its expansion (Hubble's Constant) and extrapolating back to the start of the Big Bang.
How has the COBE satellite contributed to Big Bang research?
The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite measured the cosmic microwave background radiation, providing detailed data that confirmed predictions of the Big Bang Theory.
What recent observations have refined the Big Bang Theory?
Observations from the WMAP and Planck spacecrafts have provided precise measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation, helping to refine parameters of the Big Bang Theory.
Why was the Big Bang Theory initially controversial?
The Big Bang Theory was initially controversial due to its implication of a universe with a beginning, contrasting with the then-dominant belief in a static universe.
Which cosmic phenomenon does the Big Bang Theory not explain?
The Big Bang Theory does not explain what caused the initial singularity or what preceded it.