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Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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 much more massive than the Sun, what comes straight after "nebula"? (neutron star or black hole / main sequence star / supernova / protostar) → protostarPrompt: Very massive stars end their lives far more violently than the Sun.
  2. In the life cycle of a star like the Sun, what comes straight after "red giant"? (main sequence star / nebula (cloud of dust and gas) / white dwarf / protostar) → white dwarfPrompt: The Sun is in its main sequence stage now.
  3. In the life cycle of a star much more massive than the Sun, what comes straight after "supernova"? (nebula / red supergiant / neutron star or black hole / main sequence star) → neutron star or black holePrompt: Very massive stars end their lives far more violently than the Sun.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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. More distant galaxies show greater red-shift. What does this suggest? (Light slows down over time / Galaxies are standing still / The universe is expanding / The universe is shrinking) → The universe is expandingPrompt: Further galaxies are moving away faster.
  2. The Big Bang: which statement is true? (The Earth is the centre of the universe. / The Big Bang was an explosion at one point in an existing empty space. / Red-shift is evidence that the universe is expanding. / Red-shift means galaxies are moving towards us.) → Red-shift is evidence that the universe is expanding.Prompt: Which way are distant galaxies moving?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. About how old is the universe? (it has always existed / about 6000 years / about 13.8 billion years / about 4.6 billion years) → about 13.8 billion yearsPrompt: The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, and the universe is older.
  2. A spectral line normally at 400 nm is observed at 420 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted? → 20 nmPrompt: Find the difference between the observed and normal wavelengths.

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. Red-shift is evidence that the universe is expanding.

  2. Question 2

    What is red-shift?

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

  3. Question 3

    A spectral line normally at 656 nm is observed at 721.6 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted?

    Answernm

  4. Question 4

    About how old is the universe?

    • A. it has always existed
    • B. about 13.8 billion years
    • C. about 6000 years
    • D. about 4.6 billion years

  5. Question 5

    A spectral line normally at 400 nm is observed at 420 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 606 nm in light from a galaxy. By how many nanometres has it been red-shifted?

    Answernm

  7. Question 7

    What is the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB)?

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

  8. Question 8

    A spectral line normally at 656 nm is observed at 662.56 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. Red-shift is evidence that the universe is expanding.

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

  3. 3. 65.6 nm

  4. 4. B. about 13.8 billion years

  5. 5. 20 nm

  6. 6. 6 nm

  7. 7. D. leftover radiation from the early universe, seen in every direction

  8. 8. 6.56 nm