The _______ of dark matter causes baryonic gas and dust to ________
.
The gravitational pull of dark matter causes baryonic gas and dust to clump together.
The gravity of dark matter causes baryonic gas and dust to clump together.
The correct answers are hydrogen and helium.
What's in a Universe? Quick Check
1. hydrogen and helium
2. gravity, clump together
3. dark energy
The ______ of dark matter causes baryonic gas and dust to
clump together
gravity
electromagnetic radiation
Which types of baryonic matter are most abundant in the universe? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses
hydrogen
nitrogen
carbon
oxygen
helium
According to measurements made by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), which material is by far the most plentiful in the universe?(1 point)
Responses
dark matter
dark matter
neutrinos
neutrinos
dark energy
dark energy
baryonic matter
The gravitational pull of dark matter causes baryonic gas and dust to clump together.
To understand why dark matter causes this effect, we need to break it down into two parts: the nature of dark matter and how gravity works.
1. Dark matter: Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not interact with electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible to telescopes and other instruments that detect light. However, we know that dark matter exists because of its gravitational effects on visible matter. It is believed to make up about 85% of the matter in the universe, while baryonic matter (which includes ordinary matter like protons, neutrons, and electrons) makes up the remaining 15%.
2. Gravity: Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that attracts objects with mass towards each other. The strength of gravity depends on the mass of the objects involved and the distance between them. In our case, dark matter exerts gravitational pull on baryonic gas and dust.
When dark matter clumps together due to its gravitational interaction, it forms what scientists call "dark matter halos." These halos act as gravitational scaffolds for baryonic matter, including gas and dust. As a result, baryonic matter is attracted to and accumulates within these dark matter halos, causing it to clump together too.
This process of gravitational attraction between dark matter and baryonic matter is crucial in the formation of galaxies, as the clumping and accumulating of baryonic matter leads to the birth and growth of stars and other cosmic structures.
In summary, the gravitational pull of dark matter causes baryonic gas and dust to clump together, leading to the formation of galaxies and other cosmic structures. This understanding is based on our observations of the gravitational effects of dark matter and our knowledge of how gravity operates.