Ch 20: Origins of the universe

SK-B5. Justify that scientific theories are explanations of large bodies of information and/or

observationsthat withstand repeated testing.

SK-B6. Explain that inquiry fuels observation and experimentation that produce data that are

thefoundation of scientific disciplines. Theories are explanations of these data.

SK-B7. Recognize that scientific knowledge and explanations have changed over time, almost

alwaysbuilding on earlier knowledge.

ES-A2. Describe the current scientific evidence that supports the theory of the explosive

expansion of theuniverse, the Big Bang, over 10 billion years ago.

ES-C3. Explain that gravitational forces govern the characteristics and movement patterns of

the planets,comets and asteroids in the solar system

For this unit, we will start by talking about scientific ways of knowing…how do scientists form their knowledge into hypothesis, theories and laws and what exactly is a scientific hypothesis, theory or law? From there, we will be talking about the currently accepted scientific theory about the creation of the universe, called the Big Bang Theory (BBT). Things we will discuss include:

  • What is a galaxy and what shapes can they take?
  • Our galaxy…its name and shape.
  • What characteristics does a scientific theory or law have?
  • How are hypothesis, theories and laws similar and different?
  • Why is BBT a good example of a scientific theory?
  • How did the theory develop? Who contributed what and when?
  • A factual summary of the theory…how exactly does BBT say the universe formed…what things happened when?
  • What are some key times/events since the Big Bang?
  • Pieces of evidence that support BBT. Explain how we know what we know.
  • Limitations of the theory (what questions are still unanswered by BBT?)
  • End of the universe. Specifically, the BBT states how the universe began and not how it might end, but it does have some implications/possibilities. What are those, the evidence for them and which one(s) seem(s) most likely?

We will have class discussions, videos and internet resources for you to draw from. In the end you have a mixed format (multiple choice, short answers, diagrams) test that goes along with this short (about a week and a half) unit.

Vocabulary

+ if you’re an expert (can explain to someone else)

if you’ve heard of it (and know a little)

0 if you’ve never heard of it

_____ hypothesis______Scientific theory_____

_____ Scientific law______fundamental forces_____

_____ Edwin Hubble______Georges Lemaitre_____

_____ Fred Hoyle______Penzias & Wilson_____

_____ Albert Einstein______Milky Way _____

_____ quasar______galaxy_____

_____ light year______cluster_____

_____ elliptical galaxy______spiral galaxy_____

_____ irregular galaxy______blue shift_____

_____ red shift______Big Bang_____

_____ universe______dark matter_____

_____ cosmic microwave _____ gravity_____

background_____ open universe_____

radiation______closed universe_____

_____ oscillating universe______singularity _____

Skills/Learning Targets:

_____ Give scientific definitions for hypothesis, law and theory(in class)

_____ Give examples of scientific theories and scientific laws(in class)

_____ Discuss what makes a good scientific law or scientific theory(in class)

_____ Compare and contrast scientific theories and scientific laws(in class)

_____ Discuss why Big Bang Theory is a good example of a theory(in class)

_____ Define and classify galaxies by their shape(20.2)

_____ Identify the name and shape of our galaxy(20.2)

_____ Understand that the actual Big Bang event was not an explosion(20.3)

_____ List/explain events that happened according to the Big Bang Theory(20.3)

_____ Name/describe scientists/discoveries involved with development of the Big

Bang Theory(20.3)

_____ Name/describe evidence for the Big Bang Theory(20.3)

_____ Describe implications of the Big Bang Theory (i.e. possible futures)(20.3)

_____ Discuss what factors affect the possible fate of the universe and what seems

most likely according to current data.(20.3)

_____ Discuss the origin of elements on the periodic table.(20.3)