Which English physicist and cosmologist is most closely associated with the development of the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests general scientific awareness, specifically knowledge about the Big Bang theory, which is one of the most important modern explanations for the origin of the universe. Competitive exams often ask about scientists historically connected with major theories. Although several scientists contributed to the Big Bang model, one of the key names associated with developing and popularising the hot Big Bang model and the idea of nucleosynthesis in the early universe is George Gamow.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The concept in focus is the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe.
• Four scientists are listed: Albert Einstein, Michael Skube, George Gamow and Roger Penrose.
• The question asks which scientist is responsible for or strongly associated with the theory.
• It assumes basic familiarity with famous physicists and cosmologists of the twentieth century.

Concept / Approach:
The modern Big Bang theory has evolved through the work of multiple thinkers. Georges Lemaitre proposed the idea of a primeval atom and an expanding universe, while George Gamow further developed the hot Big Bang model and explained how light elements could form in the early universe through nucleosynthesis. Albert Einstein provided the framework of general relativity but initially preferred a static universe. Roger Penrose worked on black holes and singularity theorems. Michael Skube is not a well known cosmologist in this context. Among the names provided in the options, George Gamow is the scientist most directly tied to developing and popularising the detailed physical picture of the Big Bang.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the main scientists associated with the early development of the Big Bang model, including Georges Lemaitre and George Gamow. Step 2: Note that Albert Einstein created general relativity, which later supported cosmological models, but he initially resisted the idea of an expanding universe and did not formulate the Big Bang theory as such. Step 3: Recognise that Roger Penrose is famous for work on black holes, singularity theorems and twistor theory rather than for the Big Bang model itself. Step 4: Observe that Michael Skube is not famously connected with cosmology and therefore is unlikely to be correct. Step 5: Identify George Gamow as the scientist who helped transform the Big Bang concept into a detailed physical theory of a hot, dense early universe, including predictions about element formation and cosmic background radiation. Step 6: Therefore, select George Gamow as the correct answer among the options given.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to recall the term Gamow peak and Gamow factor used in nuclear physics and astrophysics, which show Gamow's connection to nuclear reactions and cosmology. Standard history of science references describe Gamow as a major proponent of the hot Big Bang model, often mentioned alongside Lemaitre. While Einstein and Penrose are extremely famous, their main contributions lie in general relativity and black hole physics, not in formulating the Big Bang theory itself. This cross check supports selecting George Gamow.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Albert Einstein is central to modern cosmology because his theory of general relativity underlies cosmological models, but he did not originate the Big Bang theory and at first preferred a static universe. Michael Skube does not appear in standard lists of cosmologists associated with the Big Bang. Roger Penrose is renowned for research on black holes, singularities and mathematical physics rather than for initial development of the Big Bang model. Hence, none of these names matches the role played by George Gamow in building the detailed Big Bang picture.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners tend to choose the most famous physicist in the list, such as Einstein, without checking whether that scientist is actually linked to the specific theory asked in the question. Another mistake is to confuse any cosmologist or general relativist with the early Big Bang proponents. To avoid these errors, it is useful to associate each scientist with one or two key achievements, such as Gamow with Big Bang nucleosynthesis, Penrose with black holes and Einstein with general relativity, rather than relying only on name recognition.

Final Answer:
The physicist most closely associated with the development of the Big Bang theory among the options given is George Gamow.