What does the inflation hypothesis suggest about the "seeds" of galaxy formation?

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Study for the University of Central Florida AST2002 Astronomy Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your final!

The inflation hypothesis suggests that the "seeds" of galaxy formation grew from quantum fluctuations during the rapid expansion of the universe known as inflation. During this brief period, which occurred just after the Big Bang, tiny quantum fluctuations in the density of matter were stretched out to macroscopic scales. These fluctuations created slight variations in density, which served as the initial "seeds" around which matter could later cluster and form galaxies.

As the universe continued to expand and cool, these density variations became more pronounced, leading to gravitational attraction and the eventual formation of large-scale structures like galaxies. This process explains how the initial uniformity of the universe transformed into the complex web of galaxies observed today. Thus, the connection between quantum fluctuations and galaxy formation is a fundamental aspect of the inflationary model in cosmology.