Question
Explain the concept of 'dark matter' in simple terms
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Dark matter is a mysterious substance in the universe that we can't see directly with telescopes. It's called "dark" because it doesn't emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible. However, we know it exists because of its gravitational effects on visible objects, like stars and galaxies.
Imagine a playground swing. If you're pushing a swing, you can see it moving, but you can't see the force that you're using to push it. Similarly, we can see galaxies and stars moving, but we can't see the dark matter that's influencing their movement.
Scientists believe dark matter makes up about 27% of the universe. It plays a crucial role in keeping galaxies together and helping to shape the structure of the universe. Even though we can't see it, many experiments and observations suggest it's there, and researchers are working hard to learn more about what it is.
Imagine a playground swing. If you're pushing a swing, you can see it moving, but you can't see the force that you're using to push it. Similarly, we can see galaxies and stars moving, but we can't see the dark matter that's influencing their movement.
Scientists believe dark matter makes up about 27% of the universe. It plays a crucial role in keeping galaxies together and helping to shape the structure of the universe. Even though we can't see it, many experiments and observations suggest it's there, and researchers are working hard to learn more about what it is.