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10
Introduction
And so to the Big Bang.
The activity
Part 1 predictions and outcomes
This introduces Big Bang theory by looking at some of its
predictions. The first one was a failed prediction, but the flaw
was found to be in the assumptions made in using the data,
rather than in the theory. The predicted microwave background
radiation and its anisotropy are major successes for the theory.
Page 1
Teacher Notes
Resources
Textbooks.
Sheets of paper (or similar) for
summaries.
Screen and means of
projection of summaries.
Student briefing sheets.
Teacher Notes
will enjoy acting out the whole dialogue, including their responses. Some may be interested that Galileo and
Shakespeare were born in the same year.
Page 2
Teacher Notes
July 2008
Page 3
Student sheets
Introduction
Did the Universe have a beginning, or has it always existed? Its a question that brings science and
religions together. Its a question that has motivated scientists for a long time.
The scientific approach is to suggest some ideas that may or may not turn out to be any good. The ideas
are tested by using them to make predictions, and then by seeing how the predictions turn out. Many
ideas fail. Some survive.
Activity
Part 1 Predictions and outcomes
If the Universe had a beginning then matter and space and time also all have a beginning and that is
what we call the Big Bang. The ideas of no matter, no space and no time are pretty incomprehensible
but then, they never existed because there was no such thing as before the Big Bang. The idea fits
neatly with the observation that the Universe is expanding it may be expanding from its original state of
no space.
If the Universe had no beginning then expansion is harder to explain but that doesnt mean that it is
impossible to explain. In the past, some scientists proposed a theory of this, called the Steady State
theory. It has not been as successful as Big Bang theory at making predictions, and most scientists
prefer the Big Bang idea.
These are some predictions made by Big Bang theory at different times:
Prediction
The Universe is 3.4 billion
years old
Outcome
Student sheets
Describe the outcomes of the predictions as fully as possible in the spaces provided.
Student sheets
Activity
Taking one of the parts, read the Dialogue Concerning the Origin of the Universe (below), in a small
group or as a class performance.
Add explanations, as if you were Salviati, at the numbered points (1 to 5) in the Dialogue. Use the
textbook or other sources to help you.
Dialogue Concerning the Origin of the Universe
Scene: Inside a pub. Simplicio and Salviati are sitting at a table beside a window. Rain is spotting
against the window from a grey November sky. The two friends have met for lunch. They have known
each other for years.
Simplicio is a solicitor, Salviati an engineer. Simplicio is complaining that his wife made him watch a
television programme about the Big Bang rather than the film he was looking forward to. They are
expecting Sally, Simplicios wife, to join them later.
Simplicio: Just because Sallys brother is one of you lot, some sort of techy -nerd, she
made me watch some absolute nonsense about the Universe.
Salviati: And the programme was nonsense because . . . . . ?
Simplicio: Because there was no sense in it. I should write a letter of complaint.
Salviati: Complaining about what, exactly?
Simplicio: Complaining about the rubbish thats shown on the television. Obviously.
Salviati: But you havent told me what this rubbish is.
Simplicio: Right then. As it happens I have a good memory for detail, it goes with my job.
This is what I remember. What are you doing?
Salviati: Getting out a notebook. I havent got a good memory for detail so if Im going to
try to convince you about these ideas I need to take notes.
Simplicio: You dont get out very much do you?
Salviati: Come on, this will be fun.
Simplicio: Thatll be fun spelt d..u..l..l I suppose.
Salviati: Come on, Ive only got another two hours off.
Student sheets
Simplicio: Excellent. Two more hours wasted on this nonsense. So, as far as I remember the
programme, this is the theory, according to Professor No Mates or whatever he was called. One day
there was nothing. Nothing but empty space. And then all of a sudden Bang there was this explosion
and the Universe started sort of filling up.
Salviati: Youve got that wrong. There was no space before the Big Bang. Time, matter
and space were all created together.
Simplicio: So that makes it better does it? Seems even more dodgy now. Anyway this thing
happened about fourteen million years ago.
Salviati: Fourteen billion years ago.
Simplicio: Same thing.
Salviati: Its lucky youre not an accountant.
Simplicio: Billions or millions. Doesnt really matter, does it? Its not going to change my mortgage.
Anyway, the whole thing started with a huge sort of explosion. But it was just energy. Very hot. And then
it kept expanding and getting cooler. After about 300 000 years atoms started forming, is that right?
Salviati: Yes, go on.
Simplicio: Well, thats about it. Professor whats-his-name seemed less interested in the next bit. He
said gravity got in on the act and atoms clumped together to form stars. These clumped together to
form galaxies and groups of galaxies. And thats it. Next step formation of the Solar System, evolution
of life on Earth
culminating in the near perfect specimen of humanity you see before you. And mobile phones.
Salviati: You dont understand evolution but thats another issue. Did the programme not say anything
about Supernovae and why near perfect specimens such as yourself have heavy elements in them?
Simplicio: He prattled on about us all being stardust but by that time Id assumed he was bonkers
anyway.
Salviati: OK. So what exactly dont you accept?
Simplicio: I dont think I accept any of it. Not only does it all sound nonsense, I cant see the point of it.
(Looking up as his wife, Sally enters) Hi Sally, youre just in time to hear me having a moan about the
state of the Universe. Im explaining why I hated that programme last night.
Sally: I thought it was quite good, but I didnt understand too much.
Simplicio: Well, our friend will explain all.
Salviati: Yes, but what are your problems?
Simplicio: First. Its impossible. You cant just create matter out of nothing.
Salviati: Oh yes you can.
Simplicio: But theres no proof. We dont see galaxies flying away from each other.
Salviati: Well actually we do. .. 1
Sally: Well perhaps we can observe this red-shift, but does this show that more distant galaxies are
moving away from us more quickly than nearer galaxies.
Student sheets
Simplicio: Hang on, why should further galaxies be moving more quickly?
Salviati: Let me try to answer both questions. .. 2
Sally: OK, so more distant galaxies are moving away more quickly, but this doesnt mean that there was
a Big Bang wheres the evidence for that?
Simplicio: I know isnt that something about microwave ovens?
Salviati: No. Not microwave ovens. Microwaves.
Simplicio: Same thing. Weve got a microwave in our kitchen.
Sally: No we havent, weve got a microwave oven. They produce microwaves.
Simplicio: Who cares. So is there any evidence for a Big Bang?
Salviati: Yes. Listen .. 3
Sally: I dont understand why you think its so important that Penzias and Wilson made this discovery
without knowing what it was.
Salviati: Well, it gave independent support to the theory. You cant argue that Penzias and Wilson were
trying to prove anything.
Simplicio: Would it have mattered if they were trying to prove anything?
Salviati: Reasonable point surprising from you. This is what I think .. 4
Sally: So whats going to happen now?
Simplicio: Im going to get another drink.
Sally: No, I mean, whats the future for the universe.
Salviati: Well, theres a question. .. 5
Sally: Thanks. I feel sort of clearer know.
Simplicio: Thanks. Id feel depressed if I thought it mattered.