MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Scientists are able to look at distant galaxies and planets due to technological advances. Which instrument has helped them look the farthest into the universe?

a. Space Probes

b. Space Shuttle

c. Hubble Telescope

d. Ground-based Observatories

Correct Answer: c

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Data from a Doppler analysis of the sun show a red shift on the west side of the sun and a blue shift on the east side. What does that data suggest about the sun?

a. The sun is the center of the solar system.

b. The sun is near the end of its life cycle.

c. The sun is a smaller, less massive star.

d. The sun is spinning on its axis.

Correct Answer: d

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Measurements of light from 7 nearby stars were made. Doppler analysis was performed and red shift was observed in all the measurements. What does this evidence suggest about the stars?

a. All the stars measured are moving away from the Earth.

b. All the stars measured are moving toward the Earth.

c. Four of the stars measured are moving away from the Earth.

d. All of the stars are not moving relative to the Earth

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

In the drawing above two observers are hearing the sound of the car. However, the sound is higher pitched to one observer and lower pitched to the other observer. Which observer hears the sound as a higher pitch and why?

a. The observer on the right – because each wave hits his ear more quickly than the observer on the left.

b. The observer on the right – because each wave hits his ear less quickly than the observer on the left.

c. The observer on the left – because each wave hits his ear more quickly than the observer on the right.

d. The observer on the left – because each wave hits his ear less quickly than the observer on the right.

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Red shift and blue shift measurements were recorded for a group of stars and a group of galaxies. Using the collected data shown below, explain how they support the idea that the universe is expanding.

Star	% Red Shift	% Blue Shift
A	2%
B	0%	0%
C		2%
D		1%
E		.5%
F		.125%
G	.5%
H	.125%
I	0%	0%

Galaxy	% Red Shift	% Blue Shift
1	25%
2	5%
3	3%
4	15%
5	18%
6	5%
7	7%
8	9%
9	11%

a. The stars showing a blue shift suggest the universe is expanding.

b. The red shift in all the galaxies suggests the universe is expanding.

c. The blue shifted stars suggest the universe is not expanding.

d. The 0% shift in stars B and I suggest the universe is not expanding.

Correct Answer: b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Scientists examine the light spectra from distant stars to determine if the size of the universe is changing. Why do astronomers believe the size of the universe is changing?

a. The red shift indicates that distant galaxies are moving away from each other.

b. The red shift indicates that distant galaxies are moving towards each other.

c. The blue shift indicates that distant galaxies are moving away from each other.

d. The blue shift indicates that distant galaxies are moving towards each other.

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

What is the following: "The universe began in a gigantic explosion called the ‘Big Bang.’"

a. Theory

b. Law

c. Observation

d. Fact

e. Superstition

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Which of the following statements is the best reason the big bang is an accepted scientific theory?

a. A group of people met together and decided to make it a theory.

b. There is no other way to explain the formation of the universe.

c. Distant galaxies were observed to be moving away from Earth.

d. Edwin Hubble was an honest man.

Correct Answer: c

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Why was the discovery of moons orbiting Jupiter a significant event?

a. we discovered life on another world

b. it made Galileo a very rich person

c. we discovered geological activity on another world

d. it proved that astronomy was a useful science

e. it proved that not everything revolved around the earth

Correct Answer: e

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

In the 1600’s Copernicus and Galileo believed that the earth and other planets orbited the sun. Why were their ideas not accepted at first?

a. They had no good research to support their claims.

b. People did not study the night sky in the 1600’s.

c. Their books were not published until after their deaths.

d. Their claims could not be verified by the instruments of the time.

e. Their claims contradicted those of the prevailing churches.

Correct Answer: e

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Why is the Big Bang Theory the most accepted theory of how the universe was formed?

a. It is the simplest explanation of the current scientific data.

b. It is based on a combination of scientific and religious facts.

c. It has not been revised or changed by scientists for many years.

d. It has been proven correct by using mathematical models.

Correct Answer: a

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Why has NASA, in the last 20 years, sent probes, instead of manned missions, to places like the moon and Mars?

a. They have not found people willing to risk their lives to go to the moon or Mars.

b. The public doesn’t want to spend money for more expensive manned missions.

c. People could not survive the long trip to Mars.

d. People are too unreliable for space travel.

e. Probes can more easily handle the unexpected situations that may arise during such missions.

Correct Answer: b

MC	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Which of the following is an example of technology?

a. the Moon's gravitational constant

b. chemical composition of Moon rocks

c. the moon's orbit

d. Hubble photographs of the Moon

e. phases of the Moon

Correct Answer: d

I	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

"I have one further observation to make, and that is that you scientists have gotten a long way ahead of human conduct, and until human conduct catches up with you, we are in a precarious way unless you scientists slow up a little and let us catch up."--

Senator Johnson of Colorado,

Session on Atomic Energy 79th Congress

1.What type of human conduct (values) could Senator Johnson be referring to? List 3 topics that could be in conflict with some people’s values.

2.What ways could Senator Johnson hinder science or space exploration? List at least 2.

Scoring Guide:

Question#1: Answers will vary. Possible answers could include:

Use of nuclear energy

Cost of further space exploration

Use of spy satellites

Genetic research or bioengineering

Etc.

Question #2: Answers will vary. Possible answers could include:

Cutting off federal spending

Imposing new prohibitive laws

Imposing increased restrictions on existing laws

Etc.

I	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Scientists use spectrographs to determine the composition of distant stars and galaxies. The spacing of dark lines on the spectrum is unique to each element. Relative motion of these stars and galaxies can be studied by observing the location of the dark lines.

Below are examples of hydrogen spectra from four different galaxies. Choose the sequence that places the galaxies in order of furthest away from Earth to nearest.

Galaxy W

Galaxy X

Galaxy Y

Galaxy Z

a. from furthest to nearest, Z W Y X

b. from furthest to nearest, W Z Y X

c. from furthest to nearest, Y X Z W

d. from furthest to nearest, X Y W Z

Correct Answer: d

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Using the following terms, in a way that makes sense, write a paragraph that would explain to the school principal the big bang theory and the evidence that supports it.

galaxies

blue shift

red shift

big bang theory

theory

Scoring:

1 point for each term used (5 points possible)

1 point for each term correctly used (5 points possible)

1-5 points for paragraph construction

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

A newspaper reporter asked you to explain, in 500 words or less, why the big bang theory is generally accepted as an explanation to the formation of the universe. As simply as possible do the following: 1. Explain what a theory is. 2. Explain as many pieces of evidence that support the theory as you know. 3. Explain any conflicting data that raises questions about the theory.

Scoring:

5 points for staying within the word limit

5 points for clarity of explanation of what big bang theory is

5 points for clarity of evidence used to support the theory

2 points for at least some mention of conflicting data

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Describe the current theory for the origin of our Solar System (not the Universe). List the proofs that astronomers use to verify this hypothesis.

Scoring Guide:

Content = 80%

4 - Student shows exceptional thought and insight. At least three different proofs are offered.

3 - Student shows good thought and insight. Two different proofs are offered.

2 - Student shows fair thought and insight. One proof is offered.

1 - Student shows poor thought and insight. No proofs are offered.

Writing = 20%

4 - Spelling, punctuation, word usage are above grade level.

3 - Spelling, punctuation, word usage are at grade level.

2 - Spelling, punctuation, word usage are slightly below grade level.

1 - Spelling, punctuation, word usage are significantly below grade level.

E	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Should NASA continue to receive a $14 billion budget form the federal government each year? Justify your answer by citing specific examples of NASA programs and future goals that should or shouldn't be attempted.

Scoring Guide:

Content = 80%

4: Student shows exceptional thought and insight. At least three different examples of programs and goals are detailed.

3: Student shows good thought and insight. Two different examples of programs and goals are detailed.

2: Student shows marginal thought and insight. One program or goal is detailed.

1: Student shows little thought or insight. No valid programs or goals are detailed.

Writing = 20%

4: Spelling, punctuation, word usage are above grade level.

3. Spelling, punctuation, word usage are at grade level.

2: Spelling, punctuation, word usage are slightly below grade level.

1: Spelling, punctuation, word usage are significantly below grade level.

P	Earth Systems	Standard: 01
Objective: 01. Describe the big bang theory and evidence supporting it.
ILO:

Pretend you are an astronomer. You need to gather data on other galaxies in the universe. What technological instruments would you use to collect and analyze these data?

Scoring Guide:

3 points:

1 point Used one of the following:

Hubble telescope

observatory

telescope

1 point Described how data would be analyzed.

1 point Any other technical instrument used for analysis.