Origins of the Universe
What is the current theory accepted for the origin of the universe? What is the belief?
The Big Bang Theory - universe began with an explosion compressed into a single point (singularity) that is now expanding
Term given to "a single point".
Singularity
What process is responsible for stars shining?
Nuclear fusion - Two isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium/ hydrogen-2 and tritium/ hydrogen-3) combine to form a helium nuclei, neutron and large amounts of energy
What is Einstein's famous equation that explains how energy can result in matter? What do the coefficients mean?
E=mc² (E= energy, m= mass, c= speed of light)
True or false: Some scientists believe that once the universe ends, another will begin with a second Big bang event.
True
What are the two most common gases making up a star?
Hydrogen and helium
Give two pieces of evidence that support The Big Bang Theory.
Amount of helium in the universe and cosmic microwave background radiation
The Big chill says the universe may eventually freeze. What is the cause of the universe potentially freezing?
Stars run out of fuel.
What is a nebula?
Clouds of gas and dust where stars are formed
What is the Doppler effect? Explain it in terms of wavelength, frequency and pitch.
As sound approaches, wavelength is short, frequency is high and pitch is high. As sound moves away, wavelength is long, frequency is low and pitch is low.
List all four fates of the universe.
Forever expanding, Big crunch, Big rip, Big chill.
What is a supernova?
A huge explosion. Created when a supergiant blows up.
What is red shift? How is it evidence of an expanding universe/ the Big Bang Theory?
When the spectrum of light from a star is analysed, some dark lines are observed. They correspond to the colours of light that have been absorbed by elements in the star. A shift to lower or ‘redder’ frequencies is called red shift and results from a star’s movement away from the Earth. Hence, the universe is expanding.
The Big rip says the universe may rip itself apart violently as a result of expanding at an increasing speed. What law states objects that are further away move faster away?
Hubble's law
State the life cycle of a star less than 8 times the mass of our sun.
nebula, protostar, main sequence/ small star, red giant, planetary nebula, white dwarf, black dwarf