The changing universe
I can describe the Big Bang Theory and evidence that supports it.
The changing universe
I can describe the Big Bang Theory and evidence that supports it.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Light from nearly all galaxies is redshifted, showing they're moving away, with distant galaxies receding faster.
- Evidence shows that galaxies were all in the same place about 14 billion years ago, showing their movement apart since.
- The Big Bang Theory suggests that the universe began from a very small region that was extremely hot and dense.
- A scientific theory is our best understanding based on all evidence and is subject to rigorous testing.
- We do not fully understand dark matter or dark energy.
Keywords
Redshift - the increase in the wavelength of light (and decrease in its frequency) caused by the movement of a star or galaxy away from us
Big Bang Theory - the theory that the our whole universe started in a hot, dense state, then expanded and cooled over fourteen billion years
CMBR - cosmic microwave background radiation is electromagnetic radiation produced in the hot early universe which has since been ‘stretched’ to the microwave part of the spectrum.
Common misconception
The Big Bang was an explosion in which existing matter blew up.
Describe the Big Bang as an expansion of space combined with the creation of all matter in the universe.
To help you plan your year 11 physics lesson on: The changing universe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 physics lesson on: The changing universe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Gravity in space unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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