When the intensity of the cosmic microwave background radiation is plotted against wavelength, what is the shape of the resulting curve?
A) emission lines, strongest and most densely concentrated in the microwave region
B) composite of many overlapping blackbody curves from gas clouds of different temperatures peaking in the microwaves
C) blackbody curve modified by many deep, overlapping absorption lines and several emission lines
D) essentially perfect blackbody spectrum peaking in the microwave region

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cosmic microwave background radiation exhibits a nearly perfect blackbody spectrum, which peaks in the microwave region. This is a fundamental observation that supports the Big Bang theory, indicating that the universe was once in a hot, dense state.

When the Intensity of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Is