The Big Bang
What is the Big Bang Theory?
This theory explains how the universe began from a hot, dense point.
What is redshift?
A shift in light toward the red end of the spectrum as galaxies move away.
Who discovered the universe is expanding?
This astronomer discovered that galaxies are moving away from us.
What are the main types of matter in the universe?
These include normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy.
What element was formed minutes after the Big Bang?
Hydrogen.
When did the Big Bang occur?
This event is estimated to have happened around 13.8 billion years ago.
What is cosmic microwave background (CMB)?
This leftover radiation fills the universe and was detected as faint microwaves.
What does redshift tell us about galaxies?
It shows that galaxies are moving away, meaning the universe is expanding.
What is dark energy?
A mysterious force that causes the universe to expand faster over time.
What does the CMB stand for?
Cosmic Microwave Background.
What did the universe look like just after the Big Bang?
It was extremely hot, dense, and full of energy – with no atoms, just particles.
How was CMB discovered?
In 1965, Penzias and Wilson accidentally discovered this while working on an antenna.
What does “expanding universe” mean?
Galaxies are not moving through space — space itself is stretching
What is antimatter?
A type of particle that is the opposite of normal matter.
What’s one thing we don’t know about the Big Bang?
We don’t know what caused it or what came before it.
What is cosmic inflation?
A rapid expansion that occurred in a fraction of a second after the Big Bang.
How does CMB support the Big Bang?
The CMB is the leftover heat from the Big Bang and proves the universe was once hot and dense.
What is Hubble’s Law?
The farther away a galaxy is, the faster it is moving away.
What role did hydrogen and helium play after the Big Bang?
They were the first elements to form and make up most of the early universe.
What shape is the universe?
It might be flat, curved, or shaped like a saddle — we’re still finding out.
How does the Big Bang explain redshift?
Galaxies moving away and redshifted light show the universe is expanding from a single point.
What are two main pieces of evidence for the Big Bang?
Redshift and the cosmic microwave background radiation.
How does the balloon analogy represent expansion?
As a balloon inflates, dots move apart — just like galaxies in space.
What is baryonic matter?
Matter that makes up stars, planets, and living things.
What is the estimated age of the universe?
About 13.8 billion years old.