Exploring the Cosmos - Degree Exam 2009 - Particles, Forces & the Big Bang
1. In the Geocentric view of the Universe, what are the stars?
Far away bright objects.
Symbols of the gods.
Objects reflecting the light of the Sun.
Perfect celestial objects.
2. We now reject the Geocentric view of the Universe. What is the main objection?
The model is too contrived.
It cannot explain the Retrograde motion.
It does not provide any physical understanding.
It does not fit the observed data.
3. Kepler’s laws state that the
planets rotate about their own axis of rotation.
planets follow circular orbits.
speed of the planets changes over time.
Sun is at the centre of the Universe.
4. The Observable Universe refers to the portion of the Universe
visible to an observer on the surface of the Earth.
that is made up of ordinary matter.
able to be resolved by the most powerful telescope.
from which light has had time to reach the Earth.
5. In a uniformly expanding Universe
the further the object the faster they move away.
objects at the edge of the Universe will, in fact, expand less.
all the objects will move away from each other at uniform speed.
the speed of travel of all the objects are uniform.
6. If the cosmological (density) parameter of the Universe is greater than 1, then we
live in a closed universe.
live in an open universe.
still don’t know the shape because density and shape are independent parameters.
live in a flat universe.
7. The String Theory postulates that the Universe
is made up of lots of tiny strings.
started with the Big Bang.
is just one manifestation of many, like the notes on a vibrating string.
progresses from one event to the next as if moving along a stretched string.
8. In the Big Bang theory as we approach the beginning of time the temperature
remains the same.
decreases.
becomes a meaningless concept.
increases.
9. How can measurements of the rotation of galaxies detect the presence of dark matter?
The presence of dark matter will distort the rotation path of a galaxy.
Dark matter does not move. So, it slows down the rotation of galaxies.
As galaxies rotate, dark matter can periodically obscure parts of a galaxy.
The rate of rotation of a galaxy tells us what is its mass.
10. The smoothness problem in Big Bang cosmology refers to the problem of the
older parts of the Universe appearing to be smooth.
celestial bodies appearing to be less smooth as the theory predicts.
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation being not as smooth as expected.
geometry of the Universe being almost flat.
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