Expansion of the Universe
The universe is vast and constantly expanding. But how do we know this? The answer lies in the evidence provided by Redshift.
The phenomenon of Redshift can be understood with an experiment. When starlight passes through a prism, it splits into a spectrum. Scientists studying this spectrum observed dark lines where specific colors were missing.
These dark lines are absorption lines caused by elements in the star that absorb specific colors of light.
Scientists observed that these absorption lines shift toward the red end of the spectrum, resulting in Redshift.
Astronomers discovered that almost every galaxy in the universe shows Redshift, indicating that they’re all moving away from us.
Edwin Hubble noticed something even more incredible: the farther a galaxy is from us, the faster it’s moving away. This relationship is now called Hubble’s Law.
Imagine a deflated balloon with dots drawn on its surface. As it inflates, the dots move farther apart. Similarly, the universe is stretching, and the space between galaxies increases.
However, unlike the dots on the balloon, galaxies themselves are not expanding. Instead, the space between them is stretching.
Expansion of the Universe
The universe is constantly changing. Scientists have discovered that the universe is expanding, meaning that galaxies are moving away from each other over time. This idea was first supported by the work of Edwin Hubble, who observed that distant galaxies appear to be moving away from Earth.
The expansion of the universe helps scientists understand how the universe began and how it might change in the future. One major idea that explains this expansion is the Big Bang Theory, which suggests that the universe started as a very small, hot, and dense point before expanding outward. Scientists continue to study this expansion using telescopes and mathematical models to learn more about space and time.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Developing and Using Models
Scientists develop and use models to understand the expansion of the universe. Since we cannot see the entire universe at once, models help explain how galaxies move apart over time. These models also help scientists predict what might happen in the distant future.
Activity Ideas:
- Expanding balloon model: Draw dots on a balloon to represent galaxies. As you inflate the balloon, watch how the dots move apart like galaxies in an expanding universe.
- Stretching rubber band model: Draw dots on a rubber band and stretch it. Notice how the dots spread out, similar to how space itself expands.
- Digital universe simulation: Use an online space model to explore how galaxies change position over time.
This lets students visualize expansion on a larger scale.
- How can a model help us understand the expansion of the universe?
- What predictions can scientists make using models of the universe’s expansion?
Crosscutting Concepts (CCC): Patterns
Scientists observe patterns in how galaxies move to understand the expansion of the universe. The farther away a galaxy is, the faster it moves away from us. This pattern helps scientists identify cause-and-effect relationships, such as how gravity and dark energy influence cosmic expansion.
The expansion of the universe follows consistent patterns that scientists can observe and measure. By studying these patterns, they can predict how the universe will continue to expand in the future.
The universe is vast and constantly expanding. But how do we know this? The answer lies in the evidence provided by Redshift.
The phenomenon of Redshift can be understood with an experiment. When starlight passes through a prism, it splits into a spectrum. Scientists studying this spectrum observed dark lines where specific colors were missing.
These dark lines are absorption lines caused by elements in the star that absorb specific colors of light.
Scientists observed that these absorption lines shift toward the red end of the spectrum, resulting in Redshift.
Astronomers discovered that almost every galaxy in the universe shows Redshift, indicating that they’re all moving away from us.
Edwin Hubble noticed something even more incredible: the farther a galaxy is from us, the faster it’s moving away. This relationship is now called Hubble’s Law.
Imagine a deflated balloon with dots drawn on its surface. As it inflates, the dots move farther apart. Similarly, the universe is stretching, and the space between galaxies increases.
However, unlike the dots on the balloon, galaxies themselves are not expanding. Instead, the space between them is stretching.
The universe is vast and constantly expanding. But how do we know this? The answer lies in the evidence provided by Redshift.
The phenomenon of Redshift can be understood with an experiment. When starlight passes through a prism, it splits into a spectrum. Scientists studying this spectrum observed dark lines where specific colors were missing.
These dark lines are absorption lines caused by elements in the star that absorb specific colors of light.
Scientists observed that these absorption lines shift toward the red end of the spectrum, resulting in Redshift.
Astronomers discovered that almost every galaxy in the universe shows Redshift, indicating that they’re all moving away from us.
Edwin Hubble noticed something even more incredible: the farther a galaxy is from us, the faster it’s moving away. This relationship is now called Hubble’s Law.
Imagine a deflated balloon with dots drawn on its surface. As it inflates, the dots move farther apart. Similarly, the universe is stretching, and the space between galaxies increases.
However, unlike the dots on the balloon, galaxies themselves are not expanding. Instead, the space between them is stretching.
From Chapter undefined:
Now Playing
Expansion of the Universe
Related Videos
20 Views
Galaxies
Related Videos
21 Views
The Milky Way
Related Videos
7 Views
Universe
Related Videos
14 Views
Big Bang
Related Videos
16 Views