How We Know The Universe is Ancient

The video explores the methods used to determine the age of the universe, starting with the discovery of its expansion by Edwin Hubble and the development of the Big Bang theory. It discusses the challenges faced in calculating the universe's age, including the role of the Hubble constant and the impact of dark energy. The video concludes with modern techniques, such as analyzing the cosmic microwave background, to arrive at the current estimate of 13.8 billion years.

What was the historical assumption about the universe before the discovery of its expansion?

• It was shrinking over time.

• It was filled with dark energy.

• It was static and unchanging.

• It was constantly expanding.

Who discovered that spiral nebulae are moving away from us at incredible speeds?

• Albert Einstein

• Fred Hoyle

• George Lamatre

• Vesto Slifer

What did Edwin Hubble use to determine the distances to galaxies?

• Cosmic microwave background

• Black holes

• Dark matter

• Cepheid variable stars

What term did Fred Hoyle coin to describe the universe's beginning?

• Island Universe

• Primeval Atom

• Big Bang

• Steady State

What was George Lamatre's view on the Big Bang theory in relation to religious questions?

• He believed it supported religious views.

• He thought it was unrelated to metaphysical questions.

• He dismissed it as a scientific theory.

• He used it to validate creation stories.

What is the Hubble constant used for?

• Measuring the speed of light

• Identifying black holes

• Calculating the age of the universe

• Determining the mass of galaxies

What mistake did Edwin Hubble make in his initial calculations of galaxy distances?

• He used the wrong type of Cepheid variable stars.

• He overestimated the mass of galaxies.

• He ignored the effects of dark energy.

• He underestimated the speed of light.

What discovery led to the inclusion of dark energy in the universe's age calculations?

• The discovery of black holes

• The anti-gravitational effect of dark energy

• The cosmic microwave background

• The expansion of the universe

What is the cosmic microwave background radiation?

• The radiation from black holes

• The oldest light we can see

• The light from the first stars

• The energy from dark matter

What is the currently accepted age of the universe?

• 15.2 billion years

• 10.5 billion years

• 13.8 billion years

• 12.3 billion years