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.
Perfect celestial objects.
Objects reflecting the light of the Sun.
Symbols of the gods.
2. We now reject the Geocentric view of the Universe. What is the main objection?
It does not provide any physical understanding.
It cannot explain the Retrograde motion.
It does not fit the observed data.
The model is too contrived.
3. Kepler’s laws state that the
Sun is at the centre of the Universe.
planets follow circular orbits.
planets rotate about their own axis of rotation.
speed of the planets changes over time.
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.
that is made up of ordinary matter.
from which light has had time to reach the Earth.
5. In a uniformly expanding Universe
all the objects will move away from each other at uniform speed.
the further the object the faster they move away.
objects at the edge of the Universe will, in fact, expand less.
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 an open universe.
live in a flat universe.
still don’t know the shape because density and shape are independent parameters.
live in a closed universe.
7. The String Theory postulates that the Universe
progresses from one event to the next as if moving along a stretched string.
is just one manifestation of many, like the notes on a vibrating string.
started with the Big Bang.
is made up of lots of tiny strings.
8. In the Big Bang theory as we approach the beginning of time the temperature
decreases.
remains the same.
increases.
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.
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.
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
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.
older parts of the Universe appearing to be smooth.
Submit Quiz