Final answer:
Each theory is matched with its description: 1) Big Bang Theory describes an initial explosion followed by expansion and galaxy formation; 2) Inflation Theory accounts for a rapid expansion just after the Big Bang; 3) Oscillating Universe Theory suggests a cycle of expansion and contraction; 4) Steady State Theory declares a constant universe with continuous creation of matter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Match each theory with the correct description:
- Big Bang Theory: A tiny, dense, very hot fireball exploded and expanded. Then matter began to form and clump together, creating galaxies. The universe continues to expand.
- Inflation Theory: The Big Bang really happened. But within milliseconds, the universe expanded or inflated so rapidly that the size of the universe increased by a factor of about 1050 times more than predicted by standard Big Bang models.
- Oscillating Universe Theory: With every big bang, there comes a big crunch. We are on a never-ending cycle of an expanding and contracting universe.
- Steady State Theory: There was no initial explosion. The universe has always been and continues to be as it is now. Sure, it's expanding, but matter is created to make the universe uniform.
The Big Bang Theory is a model of cosmology in which the universe's expansion began with a primeval explosion of space, time, matter, and energy. The Oscillating Universe Theory speculates that the universe could be oscillating between successive Big Bangs and big crunches. However, the discovery of dark energy suggests this may not occur. The Inflation Theory proposes that after the Big Bang, the universe experienced a period of extremely rapid expansion known as inflation. Lastly, the Steady State Theory posits that the universe is eternal in its form and constantly creating new matter to account for its expansion.