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Name ……………………………………………………
Class …………
Date ………………….
Before the Big Bang
Aims
The evaluation of evidence and separating facts from opinion are important science skills. You
are given some information on the origin of the Universe and asked to answer questions. This
will help you understand the meaning of the term theory and the analysis and interpretation of
data.
Background information
In September 2008 scientists hailed a successful switch on for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
This was the start of experiments to re-create conditions a few moments after the Big Bang.
Observational evidence shows the Universe started at one point in space and time. The Big Bang
theory states everything started from a tiny point that expanded rapidly in an explosion. Matter
was thrown out in all directions forming stars and galaxies. One piece of evidence for this is that
light from distant galaxies is ‘red-shifted’. If time started at the Big Bang how could there be
anything before?
Other scientists have suggested the idea of an infinite number of Universes all springing into
existence at the same time. This would involve the creation of an infinite amount of energy,
which seems impossible.
So why was the Universe created? What was there before the creation of the Universe? There is
no observational evidence to answer these questions.
Method
1 Read through the above information. You may wish to look up facts from other sources or on
the Internet before you start.
2 Answer the questions.
Name ……………………………………………………
Class …………
Date ………………….
Questions
1
The Big Bang is a theory of the origin of our Universe. What is the difference between a
theory and a fact?
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2
What is the relationship between red-shift and distant galaxies?
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3
The LHC will attempt to re-create conditions a few moments after the Big Bang. How
will this improve the validity of observational evidence that already exists?
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4
Why can scientists not be certain the evidence for the Big Bang theory is absolutely
correct?
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5
A group of scientists claim they have new data that does not support the Big Bang
Theory. What should scientists do when new data does not appear to support a theory?
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6
‘Why was the Universe created’? Explain why scientists cannot answer this question.
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7
The Andromeda galaxy is the nearest galaxy to our own. The distance is approximately
2.7 million light years. Why is a light year more suitable than a kilometre for measuring
distance in Space?
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