Cosmology Quiz

How long ago did the Universe begin according to the Big Bang Theory?

• 4 billion years ago

• 14 million years ago

• 14 billion years ago

• 40 billion years ago

Answer explanation

The Universe began 14 billion years ago according to the Big Bang Theory.

What was the Universe like at the very beginning, as described by the Big Bang Theory?

• A very small region that was extremely cold and dense

• A very large region that was extremely hot and dense

• A very small region that was extremely hot and dense

• A very large region that was extremely cold and sparse

Answer explanation

The Universe at the very beginning, as described by the Big Bang Theory, was a very small region that was extremely hot and dense.

What is the evidence that supports the idea that the Universe is expanding?

• Galaxies are moving towards each other

• Galaxies are stationary relative to each other

• Galaxies are moving away from each other

• Galaxies are randomly distributed in space

Answer explanation

The evidence that supports the idea that the Universe is expanding is that galaxies are moving away from each other.

What is the result of the initial explosion of the Big Bang?

• The Universe has stopped expanding

• The Universe began to contract

• The Universe continues to expand

• The Universe has become completely static

Answer explanation

The Universe continues to expand

What does the balloon represent in the analogy used to explain the expansion of the universe?

• The balloon represents the galaxies.

• The balloon represents the space between galaxies.

• The balloon represents the density of galaxies.

• The balloon represents the amount of expansion.

Answer explanation

The balloon represents the space between galaxies, not the galaxies themselves, in the analogy used to explain the expansion of the universe.

What happens to the points on the balloon as it deflates?

• The points move closer together and are an equal distance apart.

• The points move further apart and are an unequal distance apart.

• The points disappear as the balloon deflates.

• The points move closer together but are an unequal distance apart.

Answer explanation

The points move closer together and are an equal distance apart because the surface area decreases as the balloon deflates, causing the points to come closer together while maintaining an equal distance apart.

As the balloon expands, how do the points on the balloon move relative to each other?

• They move closer together by the same amount.

• They move further apart by different amounts.

• They move further apart by the same amount.

• They stay at the same distance from each other.

Answer explanation

The points on the balloon move further apart by the same amount as the balloon expands.

What is the effect on the density of galaxies as the universe expands?

• The density of galaxies increases.

• The density of galaxies remains the same.

• The density of galaxies falls.

• The density of galaxies is not affected by the expansion of the universe.

Answer explanation

As the universe expands, the density of galaxies falls due to the increasing distance between them.

What is the currently accepted model for the origin of the Universe?

• Steady State theory

• Big Crunch

• Big Bang

• Oscillating Universe model

Answer explanation

The currently accepted model for the origin of the Universe is the Big Bang theory, which proposes that the Universe began from a singular point and has been expanding ever since.

What piece of evidence from light spectra of distant galaxies supports the Big Bang theory?

• The light spectra show a blueshift indicating galaxies are moving towards each other

• The light spectra show no significant shift indicating galaxies are stationary

• The light spectra show a redshift indicating the universe is expanding

• The light spectra show a random shift indicating chaotic movement of galaxies

Answer explanation

The light spectra show a redshift indicating the universe is expanding.