Cosmology: the Origin and Development of the Universe

Subject(s): Physics | Age: 14-16 | Post 16 | Type: Information sheet | Publication Year: 2010 to date

This book on cosmology, from the Royal Astronomical Society, provides a good primer for those teaching A-level physics courses or GCSE Astronomy.

The resource begins by introducing the history of measurements in cosmology, from Aristotle to Galileo and Newton. It gives brief explanations of:
• the inverse square law for light
• parallax
• Doppler and red shift
• Hubble’s law.

The discussion of the geometry of the universe and the positive cosmological constant go a little beyond A-level but provide an insight into the consequences of the latest observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. The significance of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) is discussed and the book concludes with some of the unknowns about the very early universe just after the Big Bang.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx6zd

HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

Files

PDF document, Category Three Materials

Cosmology: the origin and development of the unive...

Review

Recomended

Posted by Anonymous on 13th January 2013

This book does exactly what it says on the tin. Whilst not exactly something you can readily use in the classroom it's…

This book does exactly what it says on the tin. Whilst not exactly something you can readily use in the classroom it's a great resource to give to students as it's well written and will back up what they have learnt in lessons.

In my school we will use it with:

GCSE astronomy students

GCSE physics (triple science) students - it's a good accompniament to the P7 topic in OCRs 21st century course