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

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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

1. The idea of the Big Bang was first proposed by

Georges Lemaître

Edwin Hubble

Albert Einstein

Correct! Wrong!

The idea of the Big Bang was first proposed by Georges Lemaître.

2. Edwin Hubble made the observation that

the universe began as a singularity

galaxies were moving away from each other

the Big Bang occurred 13 billion years ago

Correct! Wrong!

Edwin Hubble made the observation that galaxies were moving away from each other.

3. Lemaître's idea received criticism because

most scientists believed that the universe had existed forever

he didn’t have any evidence to back up his theory

Edwin Hubble’s observations contradicted his theory

Correct! Wrong!

Lemaître's idea received criticism because most scientists believed that the universe had existed forever.

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.

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Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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17 comments

• Marina says:
  

  I’m just wondering, what did it look like before that single point……. oh, my brain is burning 🙂

• Amir says:
  

  It was useful and practical.

• Patrick Hamlin says:
  

  Instead of asking the question how the universe came into being?” Should not the the question be (since it is here… What is the purpose for its creation? Answer that question, and all the pieces of the puzzle will come together.

• Phanh Duong says:
  

  Thanks so much ,you gave me a meaning time to learn. It really saves my time . And they told me about bid bang

• Vladyslav says:
  

  The vast majority of people hardly ever wonder about it.
  It goes without saying that the universe scarcely changes during one human being’s life. That’s why it’s so difficult to make any conclusions. There’re lots of questions arise regardless of the theory being considered.
  Either Steady State Universe theory or The Big Bang Theory or something else, are we worthy to get the truth?

• KATY says:
  

  Wow it’s great

• Sidra Aijaz says:
  

  I like it and i also need for this comprehension 😍

• Andrea quintana says:
  

  is bery weel

• Eva Ramirez says:
  

  I studied in the school that theory. It is surprise!!!

• Amani says:
  

  i’m very convinced about the big bang theory, and i think the universe is also still expanding by the moment i’m writing right now but in a very slowly way, and there is a new distances that still not dicovered..

• Catylou says:
  

  I just want to say something funny!
  The big bang theory is acceptable for scientists and those who dare to understand the universe by their own way. However yet everyone have evidence that since several years ,or better to say since Jesus Christ, the universe has never changed. We still have 9 planets instead more .In most of the cases disaster comes when human being mess up.

• ITALA CORINA STEFANELL SANTIAGO says:
  

  The matter existing in the first moments of the Universe expanded rapidly. As it expanded, helium and hydrogen cooled and condensed into stars and galaxies. This explains the expansion of the Universe and forms the physical basis of Hubble’s law.

  This topic interested me and I was able to go deeper into the topic.

• karla says:
  

  Big bang theory (big bang) is accepted by most scientists, and postulates that the Universe could have originated about 13 730 million years ago, at a defined moment, and that it is expanding little by little.
  I think it is correct.

• Sang Phan says:
  

  Big bang is the theory of how the universe came into existence. This theory is likely acceptable for me. Why doesn’t the universe expand now? Because I guess that Big bang is a natural phenomenon that will have happened slowly for a long time, maybe billions of years. So we couldn’t see that now.
  Thank you.

• xiang chou says:
  

  I don’t believe the Big Bang theory,because why doesn’t the universe expand now if the theory is correct.

• Julia says:
  

  The Big Bang Theory and the Big Bang K-pop band. So coincidentally (just kidding)! Anyway, it is necessary to me in study, i like it!!!

• Jon Kepa says:
  

  I like it and i need it