the big bang Flashcards
(11 cards)
10^-35 seconds after the Big Bang
The universe expands rapidly, in a period of incredible acceleration known as “inflation”. There is no matter, only high energy gamma photons and electromagnetic radiation.
10^-6 seconds after the Big Bang
The first fundamental particles gain mass. The mechanism involves the Higgs Boson.
10^-3 seconds after the Big Bang
Most of the mass is created using pair production (high-energy photons combining into particle-anti particle pairs). The first hadrons come from quarks combining together.
1 second after the Big Bang
Production of mass stops.
100 seconds after the Big Bang
Protons and neutrons fuse to form deuterium, helium, lithium and beryllium nuclei, but nothing heavier. Rapid expansion continues. 25% of matter is helium nuclei.
380 thousand years after the Big Bang
It is now cool enough for the first atoms to form. Photons can freely propagate through space- known as CMBR.
30 million years after the Big Bang
The first stars form and fusion creates heavier elements.
200 million years after the Big Bang
Our galaxy (the Milky Way) forms as gravitational forces pull together clouds of hydrogen and existing stars
9 billion years after the Big Bang
The solar system forms by a nebula left after a supernova.
11 billion years after the Big Bang
Primitive life begins on Earth
13.7 billion years after the Big Bang
The first modern humans evolve.
