Lemaître

Definition

Lemaître was a Belgian priest, astronomer, and physicist who proposed the idea of an expanding universe. He is widely credited with formulating what would later become known as the Big Bang Theory.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Georges Lemaître introduced the concept of the 'primeval atom,' which later evolved into the Big Bang Theory.
2. He independently derived Hubble's Law in 1927, which shows that galaxies are moving away from each other.
3. His work provided a theoretical framework for understanding cosmic expansion before it was observationally confirmed by Edwin Hubble.
4. Lemaître's ideas were initially met with skepticism but gained acceptance as more observational evidence emerged.
5. He received recognition from prominent scientists like Albert Einstein, who initially resisted but later praised his contributions.

Review Questions

• What major theory did Georges Lemaître propose about the universe?
• How did Lemaître's work relate to Hubble’s observations?
• What was Lemaître’s initial term for what we now call the Big Bang?

Related terms

Big Bang Theory: The scientific explanation that describes the origin of the universe as an expansion from a hot, dense initial state.

Hubble's Law: The observation that galaxies are receding from us at speeds proportional to their distance.

Cosmic Expansion: The increase in distance between any two given gravitationally unbound parts of the observable universe over time.