according to measurements made by the Wilkerson Microwave Anisotroppy Probe (WMAP) , which material is by far the most plentiful in the universe?
-neutrinos
-baryonic matter
-dark matter
-dark energy
According to measurements made by the Wilkerson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), the most plentiful material in the universe is dark energy. Dark energy makes up the majority of the universe's mass-energy-content at around 68%.
According to measurements made by the WMAP, the most plentiful material in the universe is believed to be dark matter. Dark matter is an elusive type of matter that does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it difficult to detect directly. Its presence is inferred by its gravitational effects on visible matter and the large-scale structure of the universe. While dark matter is estimated to make up about 27% of the universe's total mass-energy density, baryonic matter (ordinary matter) accounts for only about 5%, dark energy for about 68%, and neutrinos for less than 0.01% of the total.
To determine which material is by far the most plentiful in the universe according to measurements made by the WMAP, we need to understand the purpose and observations of the WMAP mission.
The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) was a NASA spacecraft that operated from 2001 to 2010. Its main mission was to study the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB), which is the afterglow of the Big Bang. By studying the CMB, astrophysicists can gain insights into the early universe and its composition.
The WMAP mission helped scientists understand the distribution of matter and energy in the universe. It provided valuable data on various components, such as baryonic matter, dark matter, dark energy, and neutrinos. However, it's essential to note that WMAP primarily focused on the measurement of the CMB and its fluctuations, not the direct counting of individual particles.
Based on the measurements made by WMAP, the most plentiful material in the universe is dark matter. Dark matter does not interact with light or other electromagnetic radiation, making it difficult to detect directly. However, its gravitational effects on visible matter and the CMB were observed by WMAP and other experiments.
Dark energy, on the other hand, is not a material substance but rather a hypothetical form of energy that scientists believe is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. Neutrinos and baryonic matter are also important constituents of the universe, but they are not as prevalent as dark matter.
In conclusion, according to the measurements made by the WMAP mission, dark matter is considered the most abundant material in the universe.