Concept explainers
According to the big bang theory, _______.
- a. the universe expanded out from a single point
- b. Earth and our sun formed simultaneously
- c. carbon and oxygen were the first elements to form
- d. all of the above
Concept introduction: The big bang theory is a cosmological model for how the the universe existed in the earliest known time, through subsequent large scale evolution. It explains the way in which the universe expanded from very high density and high temperature state. It tells about the abundance of light elements, the cosmic microwave background, large scale structure, and Hubble’s law.
Answer to Problem 1SQ
Correct answer: According to the big bang theory, the universe expanded from a single point. Therefore, option a. is the correct answer.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct answer:
According to the big bang theory, the universe began in a single instant. The universe began about 13 to 15 billion years ago. In a single instant, all the existing matter and energy suddenly appeared after an explosion.
Option a. is given as “the universe expanded from a single point”. As the universe expanded from a single point according to the big bang theory, option a. is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect answers:
Option b. is given as “Earth and our sun formed simultaneously”.
According to the big bang theory, the Earth and the sun had not formed simultaneously. Therefore, option b. is an incorrect answer.
Option c. is given as “carbon and oxygen were the first elements to form”.
Simple elements such as hydrogen and helium formed initially, according to the big bang theory. Therefore, option c. is an incorrect answer.
Option d. is given as “all of the above”.
According to the big bang theory, the Earth and sun had not formed instantaneously and carbon and oxygen were not the first elements formed. Therefore, option d. is an incorrect answer.
Hence, options b., c., and d. are incorrect answers.
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Chapter 19 Solutions
MindTap Biology, 1 term (6 months) Printed Access Card for Starr/Taggart/Evers/Starr's Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)