Exploring the Cosmos - Degree Exam 2009 - Particles, Forces & the Big Bang
1. In the Geocentric view of the Universe, what are the stars?
Objects reflecting the light of the Sun.
Perfect celestial objects.
Symbols of the gods.
Far away bright objects.
2. We now reject the Geocentric view of the Universe. What is the main objection?
It cannot explain the Retrograde motion.
It does not fit the observed data.
It does not provide any physical understanding.
The model is too contrived.
3. Kepler’s laws state that the
Sun is at the centre of the Universe.
speed of the planets changes over time.
planets follow circular orbits.
planets rotate about their own axis of rotation.
4. The Observable Universe refers to the portion of the Universe
from which light has had time to reach the Earth.
that is made up of ordinary matter.
visible to an observer on the surface of the Earth.
able to be resolved by the most powerful telescope.
5. In a uniformly expanding Universe
objects at the edge of the Universe will, in fact, expand less.
the speed of travel of all the objects are uniform.
all the objects will move away from each other at uniform speed.
the further the object the faster they move away.
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
becomes a meaningless concept.
decreases.
increases.
remains the same.
9. How can measurements of the rotation of galaxies detect the presence of dark matter?
The rate of rotation of a galaxy tells us what is its mass.
The presence of dark matter will distort the rotation path of a galaxy.
As galaxies rotate, dark matter can periodically obscure parts of a galaxy.
Dark matter does not move. So, it slows down the rotation of galaxies.
10. The smoothness problem in Big Bang cosmology refers to the problem of the
older parts of the Universe appearing to be smooth.
geometry of the Universe being almost flat.
celestial bodies appearing to be less smooth as the theory predicts.
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation being not as smooth as expected.
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