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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 45 minutes

The expanding universe and the Big Bang

Space

CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS1-2England: KS4 Physics: Space physics (separate science)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The expanding universe and the Big Bang.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The life cycle of stars; The electromagnetic spectrum

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Torch and ball for a Sun-Earth-Moon model, Space images, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The life cycle of stars; The electromagnetic spectrum). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "nebula (cloud of dust and gas)"? (main sequence star / white dwarf / protostar / red giant) → protostarPrompt: The Sun is in its main sequence stage now.
  2. In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "main sequence star"? (nebula (cloud of dust and gas) / red giant / protostar / white dwarf) → red giantPrompt: The Sun is in its main sequence stage now.
  3. In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "protostar"? (white dwarf / red giant / nebula (cloud of dust and gas) / main sequence star) → main sequence starPrompt: The Sun is in its main sequence stage now.

Hook · 5 min

  • Ask why we see the Moon change shape over a month.
  • Share the objective: The expanding universe and the Big Bang. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: About how old is the universe?
  • Step 1: Measurements of the CMB and expansion give an age of about 13.8 billion years.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: about 13.8 billion years
  • Answer: about 13.8 billion years
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. About how old is the universe? (about 6000 years / about 13.8 billion years / about 4.6 billion years / it has always existed) → about 13.8 billion yearsPrompt: The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, and the universe is older.
  2. The Big Bang: which statement is true? (The Big Bang was an explosion at one point in an existing empty space. / Galaxies further away are generally moving away faster. / Red-shift means galaxies are moving towards us. / The Earth is the centre of the universe.) → Galaxies further away are generally moving away faster.Prompt: Which way are distant galaxies moving?

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. The Big Bang: which statement is true? (Galaxies further away are generally moving away faster. / Red-shift means galaxies are moving towards us. / The Big Bang was an explosion at one point in an existing empty space. / The Earth is the centre of the universe.) → Galaxies further away are generally moving away faster.Prompt: Which way are distant galaxies moving?
  2. What is the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB)? (signals from mobile phones / leftover radiation from the early universe, seen in every direction / heat from the Sun / light from the Moon) → leftover radiation from the early universe, seen in every directionPrompt: It was predicted by the Big Bang theory.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The life cycle of stars.
  • Use concrete materials: torch and ball for a sun-earth-moon model.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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The expanding universe and the Big Bang

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    The Big Bang: which statement is true?

    • A. The Earth is the centre of the universe.
    • B. Red-shift means galaxies are moving towards us.
    • C. The Big Bang was an explosion at one point in an existing empty space.
    • D. The universe is about 13.8 billion years old.

  2. Question 2

    What is red-shift?

    • A. galaxies turning red because they are hot
    • B. the Sun setting
    • C. light from distant galaxies is stretched to longer wavelengths
    • D. light becoming bluer

  3. Question 3

    A spectral line normally at 500 nm is observed at 525 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted?

    Answernm

  4. Question 4

    What is the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB)?

    • A. leftover radiation from the early universe, seen in every direction
    • B. signals from mobile phones
    • C. light from the Moon
    • D. heat from the Sun

  5. Question 5

    A spectral line normally at 400 nm is observed at 440 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted?

    Answernm

  6. Question 6

    A spectral line normally at 600 nm is observed at 630 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted?

    Answernm

  7. Question 7

    More distant galaxies show greater red-shift. What does this suggest?

    • A. Light slows down over time
    • B. The universe is expanding
    • C. The universe is shrinking
    • D. Galaxies are standing still

  8. Question 8

    A spectral line normally at 600 nm is observed at 612 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted?

    Answernm

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Answer key: The expanding universe and the Big Bang

  1. 1. D. The universe is about 13.8 billion years old.

  2. 2. C. light from distant galaxies is stretched to longer wavelengths

  3. 3. 25 nm

  4. 4. A. leftover radiation from the early universe, seen in every direction

  5. 5. 40 nm

  6. 6. 30 nm

  7. 7. B. The universe is expanding

  8. 8. 12 nm