Why is cosmic background radiation used as evidence of the bif bang theory?
a. it is emitted from a black hole at the center of the universe
b. its wavelength is getting shorter, so it must be very old
c. it corresponds to the same temperature as the beginning of the universe
d. it is not vert common, so it must be running out
c. it corresponds to the same temperature as the beginning of the universe
Cosmic background radiation is used as evidence of the Big Bang theory because it is believed to be leftover radiation from the early stages of the universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began with a highly dense and hot state, and as it expanded, it cooled down. The cosmic background radiation corresponds to a uniform temperature of approximately 2.7 Kelvin, which aligns with the predicted temperature from the early universe. This provides strong evidence in support of the Big Bang theory.
The correct answer is:
c. it corresponds to the same temperature as the beginning of the universe
Cosmic background radiation is used as evidence of the Big Bang theory because it corresponds to the same temperature as the early stage of the universe. The theory proposes that the universe began as a rapidly expanding and extremely hot and dense state. As the universe expanded, it cooled down, and the radiation left over from this early stage gradually shifted to lower energy wavelengths. This radiation, now known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation, permeates the entire universe and can be detected as low-level microwave radiation. The uniformity and temperature consistency of the CMB radiation across the sky further support the idea that it originated from the early stages of the universe, providing evidence for the Big Bang theory.
The correct answer is C. Cosmic background radiation is used as evidence of the Big Bang theory because it corresponds to the same temperature as the beginning of the universe.
To understand why the cosmic background radiation is significant, let's first delve into the concept of the Big Bang theory. According to this theory, the universe began in a highly energetic and dense state around 13.8 billion years ago. As the universe expanded, it underwent a rapid cooling process, resulting in the formation of matter and the eventual creation of stars, galaxies, and other cosmic objects.
One of the key predictions of the Big Bang theory is the existence of a low-energy radiation leftover from the early universe. This radiation, known as the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation or cosmic background radiation, is often considered one of the strongest pieces of evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.
Here is how scientists discovered and interpreted the cosmic background radiation:
1. Discovery: In the 1960s, using a highly sensitive radio antenna, two scientists named Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson accidentally detected a faint microwave noise coming from every direction in the sky. They initially thought it was due to some technical issues, unaware of its astronomical significance.
2. Interpretation: Shortly after Penzias and Wilson's discovery, physicists and cosmologists realized that this microwave noise was the afterglow of the Big Bang itself. As the universe expanded, the intense radiation of the hot, early universe cooled down and stretched into the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This radiation is now spread uniformly across the universe and can be detected as the cosmic background radiation.
Now, let's examine why option C is the correct answer:
c. It corresponds to the same temperature as the beginning of the universe:
The temperature of the cosmic background radiation is approximately 2.7 Kelvin (-270.45 degrees Celsius). This temperature matches what is predicted by the Big Bang theory for the cooling of the early universe. This remarkable agreement between theory and observation provides strong evidence in favor of the Big Bang model.
To summarize, the cosmic background radiation is used as evidence of the Big Bang theory because it corresponds to the temperature predicted by the theory for the early universe. This discovery has greatly contributed to our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe.