Relate dark matter to the development of the universe after the Big Bang. In 3 sentences, speculate on how the development of the universe would have been different if there had been no dark matter. In your answer, use the term structures.

Answer 1

Dark matter plays a crucial role in the development of the universe after the Big Bang by providing the gravitational scaffolding necessary for the formation of structures such as galaxies and galaxy clusters. Without dark matter, the gravitational pull required to form these large-scale structures would have been insufficient, leading to a universe that is much more homogeneous and less clustered. As a result, the cosmic web of galaxies and large-scale structures that we observe today would be drastically altered, potentially leaving the universe with fewer or no galaxies, significantly affecting the formation of stars and the conditions for life as we know it.