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12.1.1 Study: The Universe Study Guide
Learning Oasis MS Earth and Space Science Name:
Date:
Use this guide to take notes as you work through the activity. Taking good notes can help you remember
important ideas. Your notes on this guide will help you prepare for quizzes and tests.
Main idea: The universe has billions of galaxies, which contain stars, solar systems, and nebulae.
1. Watch the video "The Universe." Then write the terms galaxy, solar system, star, and universe in the
diagram to compare their sizes.
2. Identify each galaxy shape by its description. Then write the name of our galaxy beneath the
description of its shape.
3. Circle the words that correctly complete the paragraph.
A [nebula/solar system] is a huge mass of gas or dust in outer space. It can also be referred to as a
[planet/star] nursery, because it is where [living things are found/young stars form].
Main idea: Light-years are units that describe distances and sizes in the universe.
4. Write the terms astronomical unit, kilometer, and light-year in the diagram to compare their sizes.
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5. Write the terms galaxies, galaxy clusters, stars, and universe in the diagram to show which objects
contain the other objects.
Main idea: Scientists use evidence to develop scientific theories that explain the history and
composition of the universe.
6. Write the numbers 1–4 in the blanks to identify the order in which the steps occurred in the formation
of the universe. Then write the term big bang next to the step that describes it.
2 The matter and energy of the universe were spread out evenly, like fog.
1 There was no matter or space until a tiny point of energy rapidly expanded. Big bang
4 Gravity pulled matter together to form stars and galaxies, with empty space in between.
3 The universe cooled enough for atoms to form, the fog to clear, and radiation to escape.
7. What is cosmic background radiation?
Electromagnetic waves, present everywhere in the universe, that are left over from the energy released
by the big bang
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8. Fill in the blanks to describe the makeup of the universe.
About 3/4 of the matter that makes up the universe is the element hydrogen, while the remaining 1/4 is
mostly the element helium.
9. Circle the words that correctly complete the sentences.
Scientists have evidence that the universe is [expanding/shrinking].
Objects moving away from Earth appear [blue/red], and objects moving toward Earth appear
[blue/red].
Light from most other galaxies appears [blue/red], which makes sense if the universe is [collapsing
inward/spreading out].
10. What force pulls objects with mass together, causes stars to form, and holds the stars together in
galaxies?
Gravity
Key Terms
Use this table to write definitions for the key terms from this activity in your own words. If you're
confident you know a term, put a check mark next to it and move on.
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Key Term Definition
astronomical unit (AU) The average distance from Earth to the Sun (approximately
150,000,000 km).
big bang The rapid expansion of a tiny point that produced all of the matter and
energy in the universe.
cosmic background radiation Electromagnetic waves present everywhere in the universe that are left
over from the energy released by the big bang. Cosmic background
radiation is light in the form of microwaves.
electromagnetic wave The form taken by electromagnetic energy as it travels through space.
An electromagnetic wave consists of both electric and magnetic field
components, which oscillate perpendicular to each other.
galaxy A large group of billions of stars, their solar systems, gas, and dust
that are held together by gravity.
gravity The force of attraction between two masses.
light-year The distance an electromagnetic wave can travel through empty space
in one year. One light-year is approximately 9.5 trillion kilometers.
Milky Way The galaxy in which the Sun, Earth, and our solar system are located.
nebula A huge mass of gas or dust in outer space, sometimes referred to as a
star nursery.
star A massive, bright ball of hot gases in space that produces light and
thermal energy through the process of nuclear fusion.
If you noticed other unfamiliar terms in this activity, use the blank rows to list them and their definitions.
I have answered all the questions on the study guide and feel confident that I understand the
main ideas of the sections. I'm ready to move on!
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