Big Bang
Definition
The Big Bang is the leading explanation for how the universe began, proposing that it started from a singularity and has been expanding ever since. This event occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago, marking the origin of all space, time, energy, and matter.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- The Big Bang theory is supported by observational evidence such as cosmic microwave background radiation.
- Hubble's Law demonstrates that galaxies are moving away from each other, supporting the expansion of the universe.
- Nucleosynthesis during the first few minutes after the Big Bang produced light elements like hydrogen and helium.
- Cosmic Inflation is a rapid expansion that occurred fractions of a second after the Big Bang.
- The age of the universe can be estimated using measurements of cosmic microwave background radiation and Hubble's Constant.
Review Questions
- What observational evidence supports the Big Bang theory?
- Explain how Hubble's Law relates to the Big Bang.
- What role did nucleosynthesis play in the early universe?
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Related terms
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation: Residual thermal radiation from the early universe, providing evidence for the Big Bang.
Hubble's Law: The observation that galaxies are receding from us at velocities proportional to their distance, indicating an expanding universe.
Cosmic Inflation: A brief period of extremely rapid expansion immediately following the Big Bang.
