According to current astronomical data, approximately how old is ...

[tichca]

According to current astronomical data, approximately how old is the universe?
 
  A) 65 million years
  B) 6000 years
  C) 4.6 billion years
  D) 14 billion years

Question 2

What do we mean by inflation, and why might it have occurred at the end of the GUT era?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[gstein359]

Answer to Question 1

D

Answer to Question 2

The inflation of the universe occurred over a period of 10-33 seconds in which time the universe underwent a sudden and dramatic expansion. Inflation might have occurred at the end of the GUT era when the strong force froze out of the GUT force. This event would have released an enormous amount of energy that could have caused this expansion.

[tichca]

Thank you!

[gstein359]

Always glad to help...