How is gravitational lensing related to dark matter?
A. The gravity of dark matter distorts light from distant sources.
B. Dark matter uses gravitational lensing to create dark energy.
C. Dark matter emits lens-shaped rings of light.
D. The gravity of dark matter absorbs light from distant sources.
A. The gravity of dark matter distorts light from distant sources.
A. The gravity of dark matter distorts light from distant sources.
The correct answer is A. The gravity of dark matter distorts light from distant sources.
Gravitational lensing is a phenomenon where the path of light traveling through space is bent due to the gravitational pull of massive objects, such as galaxies or clusters of galaxies. Dark matter, on the other hand, refers to an invisible form of matter that does not interact with light or other electromagnetic radiation. It is believed to make up a significant portion of the matter in the universe.
The connection between gravitational lensing and dark matter arises from the fact that dark matter has mass and thus exerts gravitational forces. When light passes through regions of space containing dark matter, its path is bent by the gravitational pull of the dark matter, similarly to how light is bent when passing through a gravitational field created by a massive object. This bending causes the light to be deflected from its original path, leading to distortions and sometimes creating multiple images of the same object.
By observing the effects of gravitational lensing on distant sources, such as galaxies or quasars, astronomers can infer the presence and distribution of dark matter. The study of gravitational lensing has provided strong evidence for the existence of dark matter and has allowed researchers to map its distribution in various cosmic structures, such as galaxy clusters.