Expanding balloon universe. It is not known what existed the moment before the big bang, however the evolution of the universe from the first instant after the big bang and onwards is well decreases with increasing volume. The balloon will expand to just touch the edges of the box, and then shrink toward the Big Crunch. The document describes an activity where a balloon is inflated to model the expansion of the universe, with dots representing galaxy clusters stuck to the balloon surface. Equipment: Balloon Sharpie Hose with attached rubber stopper Ruler or meter stick Room or document camera, depending on size of the lecture room Location: H132-B4 Caution / Safety Info Please see the Safety Information page (link) regarding the On the simplest level, this brings us to the various models commonly used to explain cosmic expansion { the expanding rubber balloon, the linear rubber band as a one-dimensional universe, and the raisin cake (Eddington 1930, Lotze 1995, Price and Grover 2001, Fraknoi 1995, Strauss 2016). Jul 13, 2020 · An inflating balloon demonstrates the geometry of the expanding universe. This activity helps students model the expansion of the universe using a balloon. Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the In this exercise, you will use a two-dimensional, the surface of a balloon, to explore the expansion of the Universe. Both are difficult ideas to imagine and understand. Feb 15, 2023 · With this guide from NASA’s Universe of Learning, a balloon, a marker, some stickers and a balloon pump, you can model the expansion of the universe after the Big Bang. We obtain, in terms of measured recession speeds and distances of ink dots drawn on a party balloon, easy renditions of various cosmological models, such as the static one and the Einstein–De Sitter universe. ExpandinG Balloon UniversE Name: Lab partners: (credit: This lab was inspired by the University of Washington lab. Aug 21, 2018 · Cosmic expansion is an important concept in astronomy. pdf from ASTR 11120 at Rowan University. Imagine a 3d grid like a transparent Rubik's Cube. The universe may be finite in size and growing like the surface of an expanding balloon, but it could also be infinite. Since this analogy uses a spherical spatial section, it corresponds to a closed Universe which recollapses. , Imagine you lived in one galaxy on the surface of the balloon. We can tell that it is expanding, but we cannot identify a location in our 3D space that is the center of the expansion. How do we know the universe is expanding? In this lab activity, students will learn about Hubble's law and model the expansion of the universe using balloons (check for latex allergies!) They will calculate Hubble's constant, and use it to determine the age of their balloon universe. The “big bang” is a misnomer because there was no explosion, but rather a rapid expansion. Included in your purchase:4 page student lab worksheet (editable)8 slide powerpoint to accompany the lab and Nov 4, 2020 · The expanding balloon model is a popular analogy used to illustrate how the universe expands. As the universe expands, the distance between the galaxies increases. Students place dots on an uninflated balloon to represent locations in space. This phenomenon was observed in 1929 by Dr. Edwin Hubble and that the farther a galaxy was from Earth, the faster it May 4, 2025 · Whatever it is, dark energy is reshaping our destiny. and more. So when we ask, “how fast is the universe expanding?” we must be precise. Please do not use boiling water. The Big Bang, like an explosion, got bigger and bigger, creating our Universe. As my balloon expands, the distance between the galaxies increase. The center of the balloon is the big bang, a small region in space which contained the entire universe when it began. 2 The galaxies in the Universe are represented by galaxy shapes cut in sticky tape Expanding Universe Balloons - Science Never Stops U. Measure the new distance between the reference galaxy and each of the numbered galaxies. Experiment with the expansion of the universe using a balloon and a marker pen. By constructing a balloon and dot model of the universe, you will be able to see how each star is moving further and further apart from one another, and think about how the model of the expanding universe was rst constructed. We show that the metaphor of the inflated balloon used to describe expanding space-time according to the Hubble law can be transformed into a simple laboratory experiment. The universe is expanding like a balloon—every point is receding from every other point. Because it’s not just about how things move in space, but how they move in time. Background information: The inside of the balloon represents the past. May 8, 1998 · Balloon Analogy in Cosmology The expanding balloon analogy for cosmological models is shown below at two different times. Dec 2, 2004 · The white S's which rotate are the galaxies in the model. May 21, 2025 · A common analogy used to explain the expansion of the Universe is to use a balloon to represent the Universe. The matter in the center of the cubes has remained stationary, they are still in the center of Mar 10, 2022 · View Lab 12_Expanding Balloon Universe-converted. Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the Hubble Constant and Age for a In this investigation you will be measuring the changes in a model over time to better understand the concept of the expanding universe. Nov 13, 2014 · This animation, from Hubblecast 79, illustrates a two-dimensional analogy for the expansion of space. While it provides insight into cosmic expansion, the model has limitations and does not capture the full complexity of the universe's structure and dynamics. When astronomers, or people who study space, look into the sky, we see that everything is moving away from us, and the Students will explore with three dots marked on a balloon that, as the universe expands, the galaxies appear further and further apart. Expanding Balloon Universe Children's Science Center Add to list Go to activity Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive In this activity, learners will discover how our universe is continuously expanding. May 2, 2024 · View Kami Export - Lab 12_Expanding Balloon Universe_2014. As a result of his observations, he concluded there was a constant relationship between the speed of a galaxy’s move Nov 8, 2024 · Students will learn about the expanding universe and the redshift of lightwaves, then perform their own calculations with a distant supernova. What it shows:According to present accepted theory the Universe came into existence some 17 billion years ago as a Big Bang and is currently expanding. 8 billion years ago a tiny explosion happened, the Big Bang. The illustration, akin to using an expanding balloon as an analogy for the expanding Universe, is used in the Hubblecast to highlight when these 2D analogies work, and when they break down. This stretching of space, which causes the distance between galaxies to increase, is what astronomers mean by the expansion Jun 10, 2025 · The surface of the balloon has two dimensions, and the balloon’s interior has three, but the universe exists in four dimensions. Oct 20, 2022 · THE EXPANDING BALLOON UNIVERSE Background and Theory T he Big Bang Theory is the most accepted theory for the formation of the universe. Feb 16, 1998 · Perhaps the easiest way to see what is meant by an expanding universe is to imagine what life would be like for two-dimensional ants living on the surface of an expanding spherical balloon. Used judiciously, these models can convey a basic understanding of what it means for a universe to be Dec 21, 2020 · The balloon model illustrates galaxy movement and density changes as the universe expands. Explore the expanding universe with this hands-on balloon model worksheet. The balloon symbolizes the expansion by depicting 2. May 24, 2017 · It is very, very hard for us to get over this balloon-expanding image, no less because we use it all the time to explain the expansion of the universe! But the universe is no balloon. This poses a further question: what will happen to our universe when this expansion stops? As a three-dimensional creature outside the balloon, how do you perceive the center of expansion of the balloon universe differently than the flat creatures do? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The inside of the balloon represents the past. But even today, our Universe is still getting bigger. S. com You have likely heard about the Universe expanding. Now if you inflate the balloon more and more what you notice is, that these dots start to move away from one another on the balloon's surface - in all directions at once, without any "center" - the balloon's surface (space) is just expanding Caption Expanding universe. So we have a balloon for a model. Mar 5, 2020 · DoNOT stop to take breaths. May 4, 2025 · The fact that the universe is expanding faster and faster means the Hubble constant is not truly constant—it changes over time. As the balloon inflates, the distances between dots increase, matching how galaxy cluster Sep 11, 2022 · View Lab 12_Expanding Balloon Universe-2. Distant galaxies move away from us at a velocity proportional to its distance. Materials: Two containers – each needs to be big enough to hold a two liter soda bottle 2 liter soda bottle Ice Water Balloon Instructions: Fill one container with hot water from the tap. Tools: balloon, galaxiestape, pen/pencil, paper ruler READ BEFORE STARTING! Getting a friend to help might make this a little easier. All of the points on the balloon were together at the center during the big bang. This activity mirrors the expansion of the universe, offering a visual representation of how ga Create a balloon model of the expanding universe. Illustration of the spatial expansion of the universe, using the analogy of an expanding balloon. A perfect balloon, like a perfect universe, starts from a tiny region and expands. They The Expanding Universe – Balloon Analogy Introduction of thinking about the world changed. 1) The balloons represent the entire Universe at different times during its history. doc / . Equipment Weather balloon with spots, air track blower. [1] It is an intrinsic expansion, so it does not mean that the universe expands into anything or that space exists outside it. The universe is the surface of the balloon ONLY. Participants will measure distances between a central point (representing the Milky Way) and other points (representing other galaxies) as the balloon is inflated. ] Write the time of expansion in the blank provided. Space & Rocket Center 4. Included in your purchase: 4 page student lab worksheet View Lab 12_Expanding Balloon Universe. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The balloons above represent the universe at different times during its history. [Hint: Have several people time the “expansion”using a watch or clock and take the average of those times. The analogy is disliked (often intensely disliked) by serious physicists because it causes at least as much confusion as it is intended to avoid and Mar 3, 2025 · Figure 11 7 2: An analogy to the expanding universe: The dots move away from each other as the balloon expands; compare (a) to (b) after expansion. With Hubble’s work, he noted at galaxies were moving away from us. Record these data in the table. Images Description A large balloon is painted with red Oct 27, 2024 · PHY 110 Lab Exercise Lab 12: Hubble's Law Purpose To understand Hubble's Law about the expansion of the universe by simulation with an expanding balloon and by graphing the data. In this activity, participants use balloons to model the expansion of the universe and observe how expansion affects wavelengths of light and distance between galaxies. In working with and discussing galaxies and the universe, students will gain a greater understanding of the hierarchy of In this activity, participants use balloons to model the expansion of the universe and observe how expansion affects wavelengths of light and distance between galaxies. The activity can be performed as either an independent or a facilitated activity with additional resources and background information hyperlinked in the document. Includes: Teacher Instructions Student Instructions Lab with data chart (two versions Question: Description: For this lab you will use a balloon and some stickers to visualize the expanding Universe. Do we mean today? Even though the balloon universe (ballooniverse?) is defined on the surface of the balloon and is thus two dimensional, there still exists a three dimensional space that the 2D ballooniverse is expanding into. Demo Description: This demonstration uses a balloon with marks on it to show how the expanding universe causes celestial objects to move further apart. Jan 2, 2025 · This lab reinforces the idea of an expanding universe utilizing a balloon and a tape measure. Sep 16, 2015 · The Balloon Analogy is a simple-minded way to help describe (but not completely describe) two facts of cosmology that are difficult for many people to see, namely that the universe is expanding uniformly and that there is no center (and no edge). See full list on science-sparks. Background and Theory The Hubble Law tells us that our universe is expanding. The "cosmic now" is represented by the surface of the balloon. 7K subscribers Subscribe The balloon is the universe, and as more air is blown into it, you would see the space or surface area of the universe expanding and every point on its surface getting further and further away from one other. But it is true that space itself is stretching out between galaxies like the rubber stretches when a balloon is inflated. Galaxies farther away from us appear to recede faster than closer ones. Just like the two-dimensional beings that inhabit the surface of the balloon universe, we cannot observe the center of our universe. This will also help you Nov 11, 2024 · The universe's expansion is similar to a balloon inflating; the surface expands, causing dots (galaxies) to move apart. Match the diagram below with the earliest time to the latest time. May 26, 2023 · The expanding Universe, then, is like inflating (or blowing up) this balloon, and the coins on the surface of the balloon are analogous to the galaxies all throughout space. Because the 2D surface of the balloon is analogous to the 3D fabric of space, it helps to demonstrate The document outlines an educational activity to simulate the expansion of the universe using a balloon to represent the Big Bang Theory. This study theoretically and experimentally investigates the laws governing the motion of particles on the surface of a balloon during expansion. How does your expanding balloon model represent an expanding universe? Mar 27, 2024 · In the expanding universe analogy using a balloon, the inside of the balloon does not represent any part of our universe. 1) Start by placing six galaxies all over the deflated balloon - try to remove the powder before affixing the galaxy. We 4 days ago · An inflating balloon is not exactly like the expanding Universe. Sep 25, 2025 · Students learn about the role of dark energy and dark matter in the expansion of the universe, then make a model using balloons. pdf from ASTR 101 at Brookdale Community College. Interpreting recent observational results from space-borne and ground-based telescopes, scientists have determined differ-ent values of Hubble’s constant. Estimate the amount of time it took you to blow up the balloon (in seconds). By measuring the rate of expansion, the size and age of the universe can be calculated. Place a piece of matter in the center of each of the smaller cubes that make up the Rubik's Cube. In this fun and easy science experiment, we're going to explore and investigate air by making a balloon expand and contract. That postulation explains (among other things) how it is that stars and galaxies are somehow all moving away from each other: all matter is on… In this lab you will estimate the expansion rate of the universe (the Hubble constant) and the age of the universe. As the balloon expands, how would all the galaxies appear to move in relation to your location?, Imagine moving to . This The balloon analogy is only helpful in showing you that space is expanding rather than matter moving through space. Expanding Universe Purpose To demonstrate the concept of the expansion of the universe. For ease of understanding, astronomers generally draw an analogy between cosmic expansion and the expansion of a spherical surface in 3D space. Firstly, the relevance of Hubble's law to the The Balloon Model of the Universe (Why there is no "center" to the universe. Apr 22, 2023 · A balloon being blown up with objects stuck on the surface is a good analogy of the expanding universe. The activity includes guide questions to assess understanding of the Big Bang Theory's Jun 18, 2025 · The surface of the balloon has two dimensions, and the balloon’s interior has three, but the universe exists in four dimensions. To improve accuracy, scientists could use computer simulations that account for various astrophysical factors. Jul 6, 2020 · Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the Hubble Constant and Age for a Balloon Universe Name: Stephen Osei Score: Summary In this exercise, you will use a two-dimensional analogy to explore the expansion of the Universe. How it works:We use an 8ft weather balloon 1 connected to Daedalon Air Source™ blower. The Fate of the Expanding Universe If the universe is expanding, and that expansion is accelerating, what happens in the far future? There are several possibilities, each with poetic names: The Big Freeze: This is the most widely accepted scenario. When the balloon is inflated, they measure the increasing distances between the dots. This is the physics lab demo site. pdf), Text File (. Oct 11, 2023 · Columnist and Space How the balloon analogy for an expanding universe is almost perfect If space-time is expanding, then why does gravity seem to pull things together? Physics can be weird, says The expansion of the universe is the increase in distance between gravitationally unbound parts of the observable universe with time. Expanding Universe Experiment To understand how the redshift of galaxies is due to the expansion of the Universe, try the following experiment. txt) or read online for free. How is the model that you created (balloon and dots and puffs of air) different than the universe and its expansion? How could this model support or refute the theory that the universe is expanding? Compare the distances in our solar system to other distances throughout the universe. The material of the ballon represents space-time and objects stuck on the balloon represent The "expanding balloon" model is a well-known analogy used in cosmology to describe the behavior of the Universe as it expands over time. Did you know that the Universe is expanding right now? Right under your feet? 13. Oct 14, 2023 · I detest the race car analogy for an expanding universe and prefer the balloon with slightly magical dots What is delightful about this realisation is it means we can quite reasonably say that space-time's expansion is a gravitational effect! Expanding Balloon Universe - Free download as Word Doc (. The Hubble Constant describes how fast the universe is expanding. Repeating this shows the farther dots increasing in distance at a greater rate, matching how more distant galaxies recede from Earth more quickly. Expanding Balloon Universe lab Data Analysis 1. 5. At the Big Crunch, the JAVA applet will restart with a new set of galaxies. Or that redshift can tell us about the movements of galaxies. In this activity, you will use a balloon to explore the expanding Universe. Returning to the image of the expanding universe as a balloon inflating, if tiny dots are painted on the ballon to represent galaxies, then as the balloon expands so the distance between the dots increases, and the further apart the dots the faster they move apart. As time passes, the balloon expands as shown in the below figure. Second, as mentioned already, the Big Bang expansion is due to the expansion of space, not the increased separation of galaxies in ordinary (static) three-dimensional space. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Imagine a balloon with dots drawn on its surface. after the lab, students analyze patterns and use a diagram to explain how hubble's law connects with the big bang theory. Blow air into the balloon with an air blower to expand the universe. Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the Hubble Constant and Jan 12, 2022 · The nature of what the universe is expanding into is complicated, say our readers, and may be beyond our comprehension It is all too easy to think of the big bang and the resulting expanding Did you know that our universe is constantly expanding? This fun and easy activity shows us how the spaces between stars and galaxies is growing bigger. Now, double the volume of the cubes. Background and Theory The Hubble Law tells us that our Universe is expanding. docx), PDF File (. Participants will learn: The universe is expanding and has done so since the big bang. Place three small pieces of masking tape at different locations on a lightly inflated balloon that is clamped shut with a clothespin. Students kick off the lesson by collecting data on the changing distances between marked dots on the inflating balloon. pdf from COM 285 at Venus Beauty Academy. Students record and graph data. Some text was also copied from the lab given at Physics 1040 class at Weber State) Summary In this exercise, you will use a two-dimensional, the surface of a balloon, to explore the expansion of the Universe. This is more of an introductory activity to support additional instruction on the Big Bang Theory. The galaxies in the Universe have the same behaviors as the dots on the expanding balloon experiment. ) An easy way to visualize the expanding universe is to drop a spatial dimension and pretend that the observed universe is 2-dimensional. Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the Hubble Constant and Age for Modeling of the Universe Expanding Activity (Big Bang) Designed for middle school Earth science. As part of your exploration, you will investigate the relationship between the distance to galaxies and the speed at which they move. Calculate galaxy speeds and understand cosmic expansion. The surface of a balloon has only two dimensions, while space has three dimensions. Dec 14, 2021 · Did you know that the Universe is expanding right now? Right under your feet? 13. Emulate the Big Bang theory through an engaging and hands-on balloon lab experiment. Galaxies move apart like points on the expanding balloon, but the galaxies themselves do not expand because they are gravitationally bound. This model explains the concept in a simple, visual way, using a balloon's surface to represent the universe's fabric of space-time. This activity includes step-by-step instructions with pictures and a "What's Happening?" section explaining how the Did you know that the Universe is expanding right now? Right under your feet? 13. A common misconception is that the balloon is expanding into empty space that is "beyond the Universe" and that it is expanding from a single point in the center of the balloon. Guide The Expanded Universe: Playing with Time Overview In this activity, participants use balloons to model the expansion of the universe and observe how expansion affects wavelengths of light and distance between galaxies. Instead, it is the surface of the balloon that depicts four-dimensional space-time with galaxies moving away from each other as the balloon inflates. Big Bang Balloon Lab Research Question: Can a balloon be used to model the expanding a universe? Purpose (why are we performing this lab?): To create a model that illustrates how the universe expands. You can tie the balloon shut this time if you like. Suggestions A large balloon is painted with red spots representing galaxies in the universe. Because it’s not just about how things move in space, but how Sep 29, 2024 · 2) How does your expanding balloon model represent an expanding universe? My experiment represents the universe by showing how the density of stars and galaxies decreases as the universe or balloon expands. Fill the other container with ice and then add The dots represent galaxies and the balloon's surface is the universe. Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the Hubble Constant and Age for a Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like When we use an analogy that represents the expanding universe with the surface of an expanding balloon, what does the inside of the balloon represent?, A standard candle is ______. Observational data that the galaxies are moving further apart provides evidence of the expansion of the universe and the Big Bang Theory. Sep 16, 2020 · What’s the science? As the balloon is inflated, it appears that the star stickers are moving away from each other while none of them are getting closer together! This is to demonstrate how all of the galaxies in the universe might also be getting farther away from each other. Light from galaxies stretches – the wavelength of light increases Nov 3, 2023 · Balloon Expansion: Scientists have conducted real-world experiments using balloons to simulate the expansion of the universe. , The Tully-Fisher relation allows us to estimate the luminosity of a spiral galaxy by measuring its ______. So you question, what does that say about our 3D universe? Are we expanding into some 4D space? In this short activity we will compare an expanding balloon to the Big Bang and attempt to explain the beginning of the Universe. Keywords Balloon example Surface of the baloon represents two-dimensional (2D) space (balloon itself is three-dimensional (3D) object) Our Universe may have been 3D surface of 4D baloon Say, in this 2D space live flat 2D galaxies Expansion of the Universe is similar to the stretching of the balloon surface Its area increases (volume for us), the distances between every pairs of galaxies increases. Equipment To complete this lab exercise, you will need the following: A large balloon, expandable to at least 11 inches. You can model the expansion of space in two dimensions using a balloon. What really May 5, 2020 · Modeling the expanding universe with a balloon and pen Simon Lloyd 1. This lab uses a balloon model to demonstrate the expanding universe theory. These experiments involve inflating balloons and placing small markers on their surfaces to represent galaxies. Record the time it took your balloon universe to expand in you data table. It describes the rate today, but in the past, expansion was slower, and in the future, it will be faster still. Sep 11, 2022 · View Lab 12_Expanding Balloon Universe. 25K subscribers Subscribed Feb 4, 2022 · Rowan Introduction to Astronomy Lab 12 / The Expanding Balloon Universe: Determining the Hubble Constant and Age for a Balloon Universe Score: Summary In this exercise, you will use a two-dimensional analogy to explore the expansion of the universe. Two or more colored markers A flexible ruler at least 12 inches long - or a string or thread and Nov 29, 2023 · Serious physicists puzzling over certain serious questions have recently been taking a fresh look at the notion that the Universe is like an expanding balloon. Here, the universe and its galaxies are situated on the surface of the balloon, so that when it is inflated (left to right), the galaxies all recede from each other. ei8g3 w5pnu lw ihhei4w mph2 wvx8 ml g6j nhvocioje m1