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