Additional Evidence for the Big Bang

The Big Bang An extremely small, extremely dense point expanded outwards extremely quickly, releasing an extremely enormous amount of energy. All of this energy cooled and condensed into all of the matter in the universe.

We have learned what the Big Bang is, but how do we know that that is the best explanation of how the universe was formed? Here is additional information that points to the Big Bang.

Formation of the Elements

Where did the elements come from? Any explanation of how the universe was formed must match the distribution of elements we observe:  using spectroscopes (for distant things)  chemical analysis techniques of material on Earth  The explosion explains how these elements could have formed.

After the initial explosion, it was really hot. Big Bang – a Beginning

The initial explosion created subatomic particles such as quarks. Hot quarks can bind together to make protons or neutrons. A Hydrogen atom contains only one proton (and an electron).

Heat remaining from the explosion causes protons and neutrons to bind together to form Deuterium (hydrogen with an extra neutron). When Deuterium combine, they create 3 He (Helium that is still needs one more neutron) Much later it will be able to combine with a neutron and forms stable Helium. Right now, it is too hot to form Helium.

Evidence: A Star is Born Only Hydrogen and Helium are in those early stars

Evidence: A Star is Born We have evidence that this occurred from looking at early stars. Spectroscopes looking at ancient dwarf galaxies show that early stars are made up of H, He. Something cool: Scientists believe that Deuterium was ONLY created during Big Bang

Heat in the Star Forces Cause Heavy Elements to Form Heat and pressure in the star cause it to compress. As you press the atoms closer together, they bind together forming larger and larger atoms.

Heat in the Star Forces Cause Heavy Elements to Form The greater the pressure, the larger the atoms, they are able to form. Iron is the largest atom that is created in this way.

Heat in the Star Forces Cause Heavy Elements to Form Up to this point, energy is released when atoms bind. Creating atoms larger than Iron requires an input of energy.

Supernovae form atoms heavier than Iron (Fe)

Film Link for Formation of Elements ALL Descriptions of Universe Formation MUST Explain How it Appears TODAY

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation

Important background information Density = Mass/Volume Density is the amount of material in a given space (how tightly material is packed).

The explosion of the Big Bang released energy that radiated throughout the universe. It was predicted that, if the universe had originated in an explosion, there should be evidence of the left over radiation from this explosion.

380,000 years after the Big Bang, the universe began to cool and condense.

As material cools, it loses energy. As the energy from the Big Bang lost energy, the wavelengths became longer. Additionally, as space expanded, the wavelengths of this energy was stretched.

This residual (left over) energy was discovered as Cosmic Microwave Background which can be found all throughout the universe.