How do we determine the conditions that existed in the very early universe?
A) We work backward from current conditions to calculate what temperatures and densities must have been when the observable universe was much smaller in size.
B) We look all the way to the cosmological horizon, where we can see the actual conditions that prevailed all the way back to the first instant of the Big Bang.
C) The conditions in the very early universe must have been much like those found in stars today, so we learn about them by studying stars.
D) We can only guess at the conditions, since we have no way to calculate or observe what they were.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By working backward from current conditions, scientists can use mathematical equations and models to determine what the universe must have been like at earlier times. This includes calculating temperatures, densities, and other physical characteristics of the early universe. This method is known as "retracing the history of the universe." However, it is important to note that our understanding of the early universe is still limited and there is much we do not know.

How Do We Determine the Conditions That Existed in the Very