Name:______Date:______Period:______
Big Bang and Expansion Lab
Objective: Students will be able to demonstrate the expansion of our universe as well as model the creation of the universe, through the Big Bang.
PRELAB QUESTIONS FROM THE POWER POINT:
1. When did the Big Bang happen?
2. What are TWO pieces of evidence that show us that the Big Bang happened?
3. What is Hubble’s Law?
4. What are the THREE Theories that could happen in the future to our Universe?
5. What was recently found in our Universe? What was is this discovery so significant?
Part I: Motion of our Universe:
Background information: The origin of the universe remains one of the greatest questions in science. The "big bang" theory places the origin between 10 and 20 billion years ago, when the universe began in a hot dense state;according to this theory, the universe has been expanding ever since.
The universe has 4 dimensions: height, width, depth, and time. They are bound together as space-time. As the universe expands, the view from any one place in the universe remains the same. It is homogeneous and appears linear in its progression. The Hubble Law states that the recessional velocity of a galaxy is proportional to its distance from us. The velocity of the moving body is measured using the Doppler Effect or spectral line shift. The distance is more difficult to measure. It is measured by its apparent angular size or brightness of objects.
Below is a graph that is used by astronomers.
Guided Questions / Answers1. What do the values on the horizontal axis represent?
2. How do you think scientists can measure this in space?
3. What do the values on the vertical axis represent?
4. How do you think scientists can measure this in space?
5. Which do you think is harder to measure, the vertical or horizontal factors?
6. What type of relationship is shown by the graph, positive of negative?
7. Explain what this relationship means about the connection between these two factors.
Procedure:
1. Use the markers to make 10-15 dots on the balloon and number 10 of them after the balloon is partially inflated.
2. Inflate balloon with 4 medium breaths to about the size of your fist; do not over inflate the balloon!
3. Bend the end of the balloon down and paper clip it so that no air escapes.
4. Record what happens to the dots in the space provided below. Be very specific; use complete sentences.
Questions:
1. If the dots represent galaxies, do they get larger as the balloon expands?
a. Why do you think this is or is not so?
2. What relationship exists between the speed of the galaxies moving apart and their initial distance from one another?
3. Name and DESCRIBE this Law.
4. What is harder for the astronomer to measure: A galaxy's redshift (indicating recessional velocity) or its distance from Earth? Why?
5. In the space below, draw and describe the shape of our universe. Keep in mind there is no center and no end as well as Hubble’s Law for the motion of this expanding universe.
6. As the balloon expands, what “shift” is being demonstrated? As the balloon deflates, what “shift” is demonstrated. Next, DRAW the differences between these two types of waves.
Part II: Creation and Future of our Universe:
1. Next, have one partner hold the balloon open with both pointer and middle fingers while the other partner stuffs two pinches confetti within the deflated balloon.
2. Now, blow up the balloon almost too full expansion and tie it in a knot.
a. What does the inflated balloon represent?
b. What is the predicted size of this object that the balloon was to represent and what did it contain?
c. What does the confetti represent?
3. Finally, place the inflated balloon in the center of your construction paper universe. Do not inflate the balloon too big or confetti will miss the paper. Use the thumbtack to pop the balloon!
a. What were the first two elements that were formed in our universe?
b. These TWO elements are the basis for what objects in our Universe?
4. For clean-up, use the dust-pan and brush to clean up all pieces of the balloon and confetti and place it all in the trash can! Confetti is to be placed back in the plastic cup for the other classes PLEASE!
Analysis and conclusion Questions:
1. What are the three possible outcomes for the future of our Universe? List and explain each in the space below.
a. ______
b. ______
c. ______
2. Based on the observations in this lab, develop your own theory about to the future of the universe. NAME and EXPLAIN your theory.
3. Which theory do YOU believe best explains the future of our Universe? Provide reasoning for your choice. This CAN be your- just explain your choice.
4. If you some how had the ability to travel at the speed of light (300,000miles/second) to examine the universe, what would you search for to prove or disprove the theory of the Big Bang?
5. What is the relationship between Einstein’s E=mc2 and stars?
6. Some astronomers believe that the Big Bang had happened several times until perfected. Some astronomers refer to this as the Godilocks theory. How can this same theory be used to describe Earth in comparison to its neighbors, Venus and Mars.
7. The name “Big Bang” was created sarcastically but in actuality there was no explosion, but actually a rapid expansion. How would you rename and describe this theory better?