Question

Lacking direct evidence of WIMPs as dark matter, why must we eliminate all other possible explanations based on the known forms of matter before we invoke their existence?

a) To confirm the existence of cosmic strings
b) To maintain the steady-state model of the universe
c) To ensure that known forms of matter are fully understood
d) To support the hypothesis of dark energy

Answer 1

Scientists must eliminate all other possible explanations based on known forms of matter before confirming the existence of WIMPs as dark matter.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to dark matter, which is a hypothetical form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, proving its existence is challenging. Lacking direct evidence of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) as dark matter, scientists must eliminate all other possible explanations based on known forms of matter before they can confirm the existence of WIMPs. This process is necessary to ensure that known forms of matter are fully understood and to ensure that all other possibilities utilizing known phenomena have been ruled out as inferior explanations for dark matter.