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Chapter 26: Problem 32

How can we detect the presence of sound waves in the early universe? What do these sound waves tell us?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Early universe sound waves are detected by studying patterns in the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation. These sound waves provide information on the composition and density of the early universe.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the nature of sound waves

Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium to travel. In the vacuum of space, sound cannot propagate. However, in the early universe, the matter was so dense that it acted as a medium for sound waves.
02

Method to detect sound waves in the early universe

These primordial sound waves have left an imprint on the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation. By studying the patterns in the Cosmic Microwave Background, scientists can infer the existence of these early sound waves.
03

Information from sound waves

The information on the Cosmic Microwave Background includes the size and intensity of the sound waves, which can tell us about the density and composition of the early universe, including the quantities of normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

As a group, create a four- to six-panel cartoon strip showing a discussion between two individuals describing why the sky is dark at night.

Suppose we were living in a radiation-dominated universe. Discuss how such a universe would be different from what we now observe.

Can you see the cosmic background radiation with the naked eye? With a visible-light telescope? Explain why or why not.

Explain the difference between a Doppler shift and a cosmological redshift.

. What does it mean to say that the universe was once radiationdominated? What happened when the universe changed from being radiation-dominated to being matter-dominated? When did this happen?
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