For instructional purposes only • 1st Semester SY 2020-2021 107

This lesson tackles different scientific models that describe the evidence
supporting an Expanding Universe. Additionally, this lesson also discusses the
observations that affect the scientific models of the Big Bang Theory.

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. Define the principles and equations that are the foundation of models
of the universe.
2. Describe the evidence that the universe is expanding and accelerating.

What if we trace the expansion backward in time? What would we

expect? Would we reach a “beginning?” Is there a beginning?
This “beginning” is what cosmologists call the “Big Bang.”

The Big Bang Theory describes the expansion and evolution of the universe
from an initially hot and dense state to its current relatively cool and tenuous
state, and still expanding until today (Figure 8.24).

Big Bang

Figure 8. 24. Big Bang Theory (Sutter, 2020)

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So how did this theory came about?

Theories of an Expanding Universe

It all starts with three principles used to describe the universe.

a) Einstein’s General Relativity (1915)

General relativity is in the principle of the theory of gravitation that

describes the universe's large-scale physical phenomena and structure.
Perhaps, Einstein’s greatest insight is that space-time can actually
change or curve. In other words, the curvature of space-time is not fixed
and is determined by the presence of matter and energy. The relation
between matter and energy and the curvature of space is specified as
Einstein’s field equations.

b) Fr. Georges Lemaître (1927)

Lemaître found the solutions to Einstein's equations that supported an

expanding universe. He applied his solutions to the origin of the universe.
He reasoned that if the universe is expanding, then the universe is smaller
and smaller as we go back in time.
Although his original model has been considerably modified, his idea that
the universe had an origin and expanded into what we see today is at the
heart of the Big Bang Theory, so he is rightly considered the Father of the
Big Bang.

c) Einstein’s Cosmological Constant (1917)

Einstein firmly believed in a static universe, but he realized that his

equations could lead to an unstable universe.
So he added a term to his equations called the cosmological constant, a
mysterious force of empty space that would push outward and balanced
the inward gravitational collapse of the universe.
He never liked this constant but needed it to support a static universe.
Einstein dispensed with the constant calling it the “biggest blunder” of his
life.

Expansion of the Universe

After all the theories and blunders made in the past, the discovery that the
universe is expanding was made by Edwin Hubble.

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 For instructional purposes only • 1st Semester SY 2020-2021 109

Edwin Hubble (1889-1953)

Edwin Hubble, an American astronomer, is the

greatest astronomer of the 20th century (Figure 8.25).
In 1925, his first important discovery was the
Andromeda Galaxy. He discovered that Milky Way
Galaxy is not the only galaxy in the universe.
But in 1929, Hubble changes our view of the universe
when he made what is considered the fundamental
observation in modern cosmology. He discovered
Figure 8. 25. Edwin Hubble that,
(1889-1953) (Smith, 2020)
“The Universe is expanding”.
This was the first observational evidence that would pave the way for the
concept of the Big Bang.
• Hubble Law
Edwin Hubble, with his assistant Milton Humason (1891-1972), classified
spectra from dozens of galaxies and discovered a surprising pattern: The
farther away a galaxy was, the more its spectrum appeared shifted into the
red.

Figure 8. 26. Cosmological Redshift (Anonymous, The Science behind the SpaceAusScope, n.d.)

These results were consistent with the expansion of the universe predicted by
Einstein’s theory of gravitation. It can be considered among the first pieces of
observational evidence that Einstein’s equations were, in fact correct.
This relationship between a galaxy’s speed and its redshift is now described
by an equation known as “Hubble’s Law.” The speed of recession 𝑣 of a
galaxy is proportional to its distance 𝑑 from us.
Hubble Law Equation:
𝑣 = 𝐻0 𝑑
Where 𝐻0 is an experimental quantity called the Hubble constant, that at any
given time, it is constant over space. Hubble constant has been the key of the
Hubble Space Telescope, which can measure distances with exceptional
accuracy into the galaxies.
Another aspect of Hubble’s observations was that the galaxies appeared to
be receding from us in all directions. For instance, if we lived in another
galaxy, every distant galaxy seems to be moving away.
The Hubble law describes the continuing expansion of space. A simple
analogy of space expansion (Figure 8.27) is taking an unbaked cake, with six
evenly spaced chocolate chips inside into the microwave oven. If the cake is
heated, each chocolate chip (representing galaxy) has moved away from all
of the other chips.

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Figure 8. 27. Representation of the universe expansion (Sherman, 2015)

Expansion in space is not an explosion; there is no center, and there is no

surrounding space. Expansion of the universe involves all space.
At any given finite time, “the Universe is homogeneous and isotropic on very
large scales.” In other words, the universe looks more or less the same, no
matter where in the universe we are.
This important idea is called the cosmological principle.

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