Structure formation in the universe proceeds hierarchically, meaning that:
A) large objects collapse then fragment to form smaller objects
B) large objects form at the same times as smaller objects
C) small objects collapse then merge to form larger objects
D) only small objects form and are stable over time
E) normal matter collapses first and dark matter collapses later

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Structure formation in the universe proceeds hierarchically, with small objects collapsing and then merging together to form larger structures. This is due to the fact that gravity pulls matter together, causing it to clump and form more massive structures over time. This is why massive galaxy clusters can be formed from the merger of smaller galaxy groups, and why individual galaxies themselves are often composed of smaller substructures, such as stars and star clusters.

Structure Formation in the Universe Proceeds Hierarchically, Meaning That