high school course

Dark Energy

Welcome to the CMB-S4 course for high school students. This course consists of a series of talks presented by CMB-S4 scientists from across the collaboration. Dr. Kasey Wagoner presents the fourth talk exploring the mysteries of dark energy. How does dark energy cause the expansion of the universe to accelerate? What are anti-particles? What is the fate of the universe?

To start, keep this google form open on another tab and answer the questions after you watch each video. Once you have completed all the sections, submit the form so your answers may be recorded. Your name and email will be collected at the start of the quiz; this will allow us to send each student an electronic certificate of participation

Course Objectives

IV. Dark Energy

1. Introduction to Dark Energy
   • Define dark energy and its role in accelerating the expansion of the universe.
   • Compare dark energy to other forces in the universe, such as gravity and electromagnetism.
2. Experimental Observations
   • Discuss how Type Ia supernovae serve as standard candles in measuring the expansion rate of the universe.
   • Explore the patterns observed in dark energy and their implications for the fate of the universe.
3. Theories of Dark Energy
   • Examine hypotheses such as vacuum energy, modified gravity, and new fields in explaining dark energy.
   • Discuss experimental tests and the challenges of proving dark energy theories.
4. Future of Dark Energy Research
   • Investigate ongoing and future experiments aimed at uncovering the mysteries of dark energy.
   • Explore the potential impact of dark energy research on cosmology and physics.

1 – Exploring the Mysteries of Dark Energy

1. In one word, name a part of the scientific process
2. A Type Ia Supernova is
   • A cosmic distance marker because they all peak with about the same brightness (standard candle)
   • A Stripped core-collapse from stars at least 25x the mass of the sun.
   • A rapid collapse that explodes violently outward, leaving behind a neutron star or black hole 
   • From stars that teeter between evolving into white dwarves or undergoing core-collapse due to electron capture
3. What model of the universe does yellow line in the following plot represent?
   • The universe’s expansion is slowing down.
   • The universe’s expansion is constant.
   • The universe’s expansion is accelerating.
   • The universe is shrinking in size.

2 – Observing Patterns of Dark Energy

1. Which of the following methods use Direct Detection?
   • Scattering
   • Annihilation
   • Particle colliders
2. The process of a particle and antiparticle colliding and destroying each other to release energy is called _______
3. What do we look for when using Particle Colliders to detect dark matter?
   • Missing energy
   • Visible baryonic matter
   • An excess of protons 
4. What would be the most likely end of the universe if there was no dark energy?
   • The “Big Freeze,” where the universe expands infinitely, becoming colder and emptier.
   • The “Static Universe,” where the universe remains unchanged in size forever.
   • The “Big Rip,” where the universe tears itself apart due to extreme expansion.
   • The “Big Crunch,” where the universe’s expansion halts and reverses, causing it to collapse back into a singularity.
5. Dark energy counteracts which force in the universe?
   • Electromagnetism
   • Gravity
   • Strong Nuclear Force
   • Weak Nuclear Force
6. Which colored line represents the most likely model of the universe?

3 – Experimental Tests of Dark Energy

1. The quantum phenomenon where two uncharged, parallel plates in a vacuum experience an attractive force due to vacuum fluctuations is called the ______ Effect
2. Which of the hypotheses to explain dark energy is supported by an experimental test?
   • Vacuum energy
   • Modified Gravity
   • New Field
   • All of the above
   • None of the above