Why Is the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) So Cold If

question 32

Multiple Choice

Why is the cosmic microwave background (CMB) so cold if the early universe was so hot?

• A) Enough time has passed for matter in the universe to release enough heat to cool down.
• B) The CMB constantly interacts with atoms, which effectively cool down the photons.
• C) The expansion of the universe has redshifted those photons to an effectively cooler temperature.
• D) Misleading; The Big Bang was initially hot but the CMB was released from cold material much later on.

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Definitions:

Cognitive Therapy

A form of psychotherapy that aims to change maladaptive thinking patterns, believing that these can lead to negative emotions and behaviors.

Depression

A condition in mental health defined by a lasting feeling of unhappiness or apathy towards activities, resulting in major interference with daily routines.

Beck

Aaron T. Beck, a psychiatrist known for developing cognitive therapy, particularly for depression.

Overgeneralizing

A cognitive distortion involving broad, sweeping conclusions based on a single event or piece of evidence.