Question 1

How long after the Big Bang was the Planck time, the time at which our current theories become completely unable to describe conditions any earlier in the universe?

Accepted Answer

A) 3 minutes 
B) 10- 10 seconds 
C) 380,000 years 
D) 10- 35 seconds 
E) 10- 43 seconds 
A) 3 minutes 
B) 10- 10 seconds 
C) 380,000 years 
D) 10- 35 seconds 
E) 10- 43 seconds

Question 2

What happens when a particle of matter meets its corresponding antiparticle of antimatter?

Accepted Answer

A) They fuse to make a heavier particle. 
B) They can form a complete atom. 
C) The question makes no sense, since antimatter does not really exist. 
D) The combined mass of the two particles is completely transformed into energy (photons). 
A) They fuse to make a heavier particle. 
B) They can form a complete atom. 
C) The question makes no sense, since antimatter does not really exist. 
D) The combined mass of the two particles is completely transformed into energy (photons).

Question 3

What is postulated to have caused a sudden inflation of the early universe?

Accepted Answer

A) the energy released from the "freezing out" of the strong force from the GUT force 
B) the energy released from the annihilation of matter and antimatter 
C) the energy absorbed by giant quantum fluctuations 
D) the energy absorbed by the separation of the electromagnetic and weak forces 
E) the energy released in the fusion of protons and neutrons to produce helium 
A) the energy released from the "freezing out" of the strong force from the GUT force 
B) the energy released from the annihilation of matter and antimatter 
C) the energy absorbed by giant quantum fluctuations 
D) the energy absorbed by the separation of the electromagnetic and weak forces 
E) the energy released in the fusion of protons and neutrons to produce helium

Question 4

What happens when matter collides with anti- matter?

Accepted Answer

A) The two particles repel each other, and they fly apart. 
B) The two particles destroy each other, and create photons. 
C) The two particles attract each other, and form a neutral atom. 
A) The two particles repel each other, and they fly apart. 
B) The two particles destroy each other, and create photons. 
C) The two particles attract each other, and form a neutral atom.

Question 5

Why is the night sky dark?

Accepted Answer

A) The universe is finite in age. 
B) The universe has a physical edge, beyond which there is nothing. 
C) The dust clouds in interstellar space block the light. 
D) Dark matter obscures light from distant objects. 
A) The universe is finite in age. 
B) The universe has a physical edge, beyond which there is nothing. 
C) The dust clouds in interstellar space block the light. 
D) Dark matter obscures light from distant objects.

Question 6

The Big Bang theory seems to explain how elements were formed during the first few minutes after the Big Bang. Which hypothetical observation below (these are not real observations)would call our current theory into question?

Accepted Answer

A) the discovery of a galaxy with a helium abundance of only 10% by mass 
B) the discovery of a galaxy with 27% helium rather than the 25% that theory tells us was produced in the Big Bang 
C) the discovery of a star- like object made entirely of carbon and oxygen 
D) the discovery of a planet that with no helium in its atmosphere 
A) the discovery of a galaxy with a helium abundance of only 10% by mass 
B) the discovery of a galaxy with 27% helium rather than the 25% that theory tells us was produced in the Big Bang 
C) the discovery of a star- like object made entirely of carbon and oxygen 
D) the discovery of a planet that with no helium in its atmosphere

Question 7

Which event in the history of the universe happened last?

Accepted Answer

A) Stable helium nuclei formed. 
B) The GUT force separated into the electroweak force and strong force. 
C) Neutral atoms formed. 
D) The electroweak force separated into electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces. 
A) Stable helium nuclei formed. 
B) The GUT force separated into the electroweak force and strong force. 
C) Neutral atoms formed. 
D) The electroweak force separated into electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces.

Question 8

Laboratory experiments conducted with particle accelerators confirm predictions made by the theory that unifies .

Accepted Answer

A) the unification of all four forces into a single "superforce" 
B) the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces into the GUT force 
C) the strong and weak forces into the combined nuclear force 
D) the electromagnetic and weak forces into the electroweak force 
A) the unification of all four forces into a single "superforce" 
B) the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces into the GUT force 
C) the strong and weak forces into the combined nuclear force 
D) the electromagnetic and weak forces into the electroweak force

Question 9

This figure shows the relative strength of the four basic forces as a function of temperature. At what temperature does the strong force become distinct from the electroweak force?

Accepted Answer

A) about 1032 K 
B) about 1027 K 
C) about 1015 K 
D) These forces were never unified. 
A) about 1032 K 
B) about 1027 K 
C) about 1015 K 
D) These forces were never unified.

Question 10

In principle, if we could see all the way to the cosmological horizon we could see the Big Bang taking place. However, our view is blocked for times prior to about 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) Before that time, the gas in the universe was dense and ionized and therefore did not allow light to travel freely. 
B) Before that time, the universe was dark so there was no light to illuminate anything. 
C) Before that time, the universe was too crowded with stars. 
D) 380,000 years after the Big Bang marks the time when stars were first born, and thus began to shine the light by which we can see the universe. 
A) Before that time, the gas in the universe was dense and ionized and therefore did not allow light to travel freely. 
B) Before that time, the universe was dark so there was no light to illuminate anything. 
C) Before that time, the universe was too crowded with stars. 
D) 380,000 years after the Big Bang marks the time when stars were first born, and thus began to shine the light by which we can see the universe.

Question 11

How many forces operated in the universe during the GUT era?

Accepted Answer

A) One: a single, symmetric "super force" 
B) Two: gravity and the GUT force 
C) Two: gravity and the electroweak force 
D) Three: gravity, the strong force, and the electroweak force 
E) All four of the known forces 
A) One: a single, symmetric "super force" 
B) Two: gravity and the GUT force 
C) Two: gravity and the electroweak force 
D) Three: gravity, the strong force, and the electroweak force 
E) All four of the known forces

Question 12

A "GUT" (grand unified theory)refers to theories that .

Accepted Answer

A) unify gravity with the strong and weak forces 
B) unify the strong force with the electromagnetic and weak forces 
C) unify the electromagnetic and weak forces 
D) unify all four forces together 
A) unify gravity with the strong and weak forces 
B) unify the strong force with the electromagnetic and weak forces 
C) unify the electromagnetic and weak forces 
D) unify all four forces together

Question 13

A postulated inflationary era in which the early universe expanded in size by a factor of 1030 in approximately 10- 36 seconds is incompatible with the theory of relativity because the universe would have expanded faster than the speed of light.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

(From a science quiz that appeared in the weekly magazine The Economist.)Economic history is easier to write than the history of the universe. Nevertheless, most cosmologists now think that when the universe was formed,

Accepted Answer

A) first there was inflation, which caused the Big Bang, then recession. 
B) first there was a Big Bang and then inflation (of space)which caused recession (of all matter, away from the Big Bang). 
C) first there was a Big Bang. There has not been any inflation yet, but if it comes it will cause recession. 
A) first there was inflation, which caused the Big Bang, then recession. 
B) first there was a Big Bang and then inflation (of space)which caused recession (of all matter, away from the Big Bang). 
C) first there was a Big Bang. There has not been any inflation yet, but if it comes it will cause recession.

Question 15

What do we mean by inflation, and why might it have occurred at the end of the GUT era?

Accepted Answer

The inflation of the universe occurred o

Question 16

Why is the nucleosynthesis era so important in determining the chemical composition of the universe?

Accepted Answer

A) All the elements except hydrogen were produced in the nucleosynthesis era. 
B) We can study the processes that occurred during the nucleosynthesis era to determine how most of the elements in the universe were created. 
C) We can observe spectra from this era to determine what the primordial mix of the elements was at the beginning of the universe. 
D) Except for a small amount of elements heavier than helium produced later by stars, the chemical composition of the universe is the same now as at the end of the nucleosynthesis era. 
E) By knowing how much matter was created during the nucleosynthesis era, we can determine whether the universe is open or closed. 
A) All the elements except hydrogen were produced in the nucleosynthesis era. 
B) We can study the processes that occurred during the nucleosynthesis era to determine how most of the elements in the universe were created. 
C) We can observe spectra from this era to determine what the primordial mix of the elements was at the beginning of the universe. 
D) Except for a small amount of elements heavier than helium produced later by stars, the chemical composition of the universe is the same now as at the end of the nucleosynthesis era. 
E) By knowing how much matter was created during the nucleosynthesis era, we can determine whether the universe is open or closed.

How long after the Big Bang was the Planck time, the time at which our current theories become completely unable to describe conditions any earlier in the universe?

What happens when a particle of matter meets its corresponding antiparticle of antimatter?

What is postulated to have caused a sudden inflation of the early universe?

What happens when matter collides with anti- matter?

Why is the night sky dark?

The Big Bang theory seems to explain how elements were formed during the first few minutes after the Big Bang. Which hypothetical observation below (these are not real observations)would call our current theory into question?

Which event in the history of the universe happened last?

Laboratory experiments conducted with particle accelerators confirm predictions made by the theory that unifies .

This figure shows the relative strength of the four basic forces as a function of temperature. At what temperature does the strong force become distinct from the electroweak force?

In principle, if we could see all the way to the cosmological horizon we could see the Big Bang taking place. However, our view is blocked for times prior to about 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Why?

How many forces operated in the universe during the GUT era?

A "GUT" (grand unified theory)refers to theories that .

A postulated inflationary era in which the early universe expanded in size by a factor of 1030 in approximately 10- 36 seconds is incompatible with the theory of relativity because the universe would have expanded faster than the speed of light.

(From a science quiz that appeared in the weekly magazine The Economist.)Economic history is easier to write than the history of the universe. Nevertheless, most cosmologists now think that when the universe was formed,

What do we mean by inflation, and why might it have occurred at the end of the GUT era?

Why is the nucleosynthesis era so important in determining the chemical composition of the universe?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters

Exam 17: The Birth of the Universe

How long after the Big Bang was the Planck time, the time at which our current theories become completely unable to describe conditions any earlier in the universe?

What happens when a particle of matter meets its corresponding antiparticle of antimatter?

What is postulated to have caused a sudden inflation of the early universe?

What happens when matter collides with anti- matter?

Why is the night sky dark?

The Big Bang theory seems to explain how elements were formed during the first few minutes after the Big Bang. Which hypothetical observation below (these are not real observations)would call our current theory into question?

Which event in the history of the universe happened last?

Laboratory experiments conducted with particle accelerators confirm predictions made by the theory that unifies .

This figure shows the relative strength of the four basic forces as a function of temperature. At what temperature does the strong force become distinct from the electroweak force?

In principle, if we could see all the way to the cosmological horizon we could see the Big Bang taking place. However, our view is blocked for times prior to about 380,000 years after the Big Bang. Why?

How many forces operated in the universe during the GUT era?

A "GUT" (grand unified theory)refers to theories that .

A postulated inflationary era in which the early universe expanded in size by a factor of 1030 in approximately 10- 36 seconds is incompatible with the theory of relativity because the universe would have expanded faster than the speed of light.

(From a science quiz that appeared in the weekly magazine The Economist.)Economic history is easier to write than the history of the universe. Nevertheless, most cosmologists now think that when the universe was formed,

What do we mean by inflation, and why might it have occurred at the end of the GUT era?

Why is the nucleosynthesis era so important in determining the chemical composition of the universe?

A Modern View of the Universe

Discovering the Universe for Yourself

The Science of Astronomy

Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity

Light: the Cosmic Messenger

Formation of the Solar System

Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds

Jovian Planet System

Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts

Other Planetary Systems: the New Science of Distant Worlds

Our Star

Surveying the Stars

Star Stuff

The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Our Galaxy

A Universe of Galaxies

Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe

Life in the Universe

Filters