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The Big Bang Theory

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
The theory of how the universe came into existence.

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • theory: a possible scientific explanation for something
  • astronomer: a scientist who studies space
  • evidence: proof that supports an idea
  • observe: to notice something while performing an experiment
  • matter: any substance that has mass and takes up space
  • criticism: comments expressing a negative opinion about something
  • accurate: true; correct

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

The Big Bang theory is a theory scientists use to the creation of the universe. The theory states that all of the matter in the universe began to expand from one single point. This idea was first proposed by astronomer Georges Lemaître in 1927. He received evidence to support his theory when another astronomer named Edwin Hubble observed that seemed to be moving away from each other. This was an indication that the universe was expanding. Because of this new information, Lemaître concluded that the universe must have once been smaller and denser. According to the theory, the universe began as something known as a singularity, which is an where matter is infinitely dense. Over 13 billion years ago, this singularity began to expand, and the matter inside it formed atoms that would later form stars and planets. Lemaître’s idea received a lot of criticism, because most scientists at the time believed that the universe had existed . However, throughout the 20th century, scientists continued to find proof that Lemaître’s theory was accurate. Today, the Big Bang theory is the most widely accepted explanation for how the universe was .

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19426″]

Discussion/essay questions

  1. While most scientists today agree that the universe was created by a Big Bang, some have other theories. Do you believe that the Big Bang theory is the correct explanation? Why or why not?

Transcript

The Big Bang theory is a theory scientists use to explain the creation of the universe. The theory states that all of the matter in the universe began to expand from one single point. This idea was first proposed by astronomer Georges Lemaître in 1927. He received evidence to support his theory when another astronomer named Edwin Hubble observed that galaxies seemed to be moving away from each other. This was an indication that the universe was expanding. Because of this new information, Lemaître concluded that the universe must have once been smaller and denser. According to the theory, the universe began as something known as a singularity, which is an area where matter is infinitely dense. Over 13 billion years ago, this singularity began to expand, and the matter inside it formed atoms that would later form stars and planets. Lemaître’s idea received a lot of criticism, because most scientists at the time believed that the universe had existed forever. However, throughout the 20th century, scientists continued to find proof that Lemaître’s theory was accurate. Today, the Big Bang theory is the most widely accepted explanation for how the universe was created.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
© EnglishClub.com

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