How is dark energy related to the theory of the Big Bang?
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2 points
It causes the spinning of galaxies.
It seeded the formation of galaxies and star clusters.
It causes the universe to expand.
It causes the expansion of the universe to accelerate.
The correct answer is: It causes the expansion of the universe to accelerate.
Dark energy is related to the theory of the Big Bang as it causes the expansion of the universe to accelerate.
Dark energy is related to the theory of the Big Bang because it is believed to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe. The Big Bang theory states that the universe started from a hot and dense state, and has been expanding ever since. The initial expansion was expected to gradually slow down due to gravitational attraction between matter, eventually leading to a decelerating expansion.
However, observations of distant supernovae in the late 1990s revealed that the universe's expansion is actually accelerating. This unexpected finding led scientists to propose the existence of dark energy. Dark energy is a mysterious form of energy that is thought to permeate all of space and have a repulsive effect, causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate.
The presence of dark energy in the universe means that the expansion is not simply a result of the original Big Bang explosion, but is instead being driven by this mysterious force. Therefore, one of the key connections between dark energy and the theory of the Big Bang is that dark energy is the leading explanation for why the universe is currently expanding at an accelerating rate, contrary to the original expectations based on the Big Bang theory.