COSMIC EXPANSION Meaning and
Definition
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Cosmic expansion refers to the phenomenon in which the scale of the universe increases over time. It is a fundamental concept in cosmology, the scientific study of the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe. According to the prevailing cosmological model called the Big Bang theory, cosmic expansion began around 13.8 billion years ago with the initial singularity, a highly dense and hot state from which the universe originated.
In cosmic expansion, space itself is thought to be expanding, causing the distances between galaxies to increase. This expansion is often visualized as the stretching of an elastic rubber sheet, with galaxies being represented as dots on the sheet. As the sheet expands, the dots move apart from each other, highlighting the expansion of the universe.
Cosmic expansion is typically described by the Hubble's law, formulated by the astronomer Edwin Hubble in the 1920s. The law states that the recessional velocity of distant galaxies is proportional to their distance from Earth. This velocity-distance relationship is quantified by the Hubble constant, which measures the rate of expansion of the universe. The current value of the Hubble constant is a subject of active research and debate in the scientific community.
The concept of cosmic expansion has profound implications for our understanding of the universe's past and future. It provides evidence for the Big Bang theory and suggests that the universe has been continuously evolving since its inception. The expansion also plays a crucial role in the formation and evolution of structures within the universe, such as galaxies, galaxy clusters, and superclusters. Additionally, cosmic expansion affects the observed redshift of distant celestial objects, leading to the discovery of dark energy, a mysterious force thought to be driving the acceleration of the expansion.
Common Misspellings for COSMIC EXPANSION
- xosmic expansion
- vosmic expansion
- fosmic expansion
- dosmic expansion
- cismic expansion
- cksmic expansion
- clsmic expansion
- cpsmic expansion
- c0smic expansion
- c9smic expansion
- coamic expansion
- cozmic expansion
- coxmic expansion
- codmic expansion
- coemic expansion
- cowmic expansion
- cosnic expansion
- coskic expansion
- cosjic expansion
- cosmuc expansion
Etymology of COSMIC EXPANSION
The etymology of the word "cosmic" can be traced back to the Greek word "kosmos" (κόσμος), meaning "world" or "order". "Kosmos" itself derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *kem-, which means "to arrange" or "to rule". Over time, this Greek term came to refer to the entire universe or the world as a well-ordered system.
The word "expansion" comes from the Latin verb "expandere", which is a combination of the prefix "ex", meaning "out", and "pandere", which means "to spread". It signifies the action of something extending or spreading out.
When combined, the term "cosmic expansion" refers to the phenomenon of the universe's continuous and ongoing increase in size and scale.
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