PHYSICAL SCIENCE Week 1 (Formation of Light and Heavy Elements in the Universe)

Physical Science

branch of natural science that studies non-living systems, in contrast to life science.

Cosmology

branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the universe, from the Big Bang to today and on into the future.

3 Cosmic Stages

1. Big bang nucleosynthesis

2. Stellar formation and evolution

3. Stellar explosion, or supernova

Big bang nucleosynthesis

formed the light elements (H, He, and Li)

Stellar formation and evolution

formed the elements heavier than Be to Fe

Stellar explosion, or supernova

formed the elements heavier than Fe

Big Bang Theory

explains how the elements were initially formed the formation of different elements involved many nuclear reactions, including fusion, fission and radioactive decay. part of its proof is the amounts of H and He we have in the universe today.

Singularity

a point in space and/or a moment in time where the universe was infinitely hot and dense

Inflation

a theory of exponential expansion of space in the universe. The inflationary epoch lasted from 10-36 seconds.

Nucleosynthesis

the process that creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons, primarily protons and neutrons.

Recombination

refers to the epoch at which charged electrons and protons first became bound to form electrically neutral hydrogen atoms.

Annihilation

reaction in which a particle and its antiparticle collide and disappear, releasing energy.

Redshift

the displacement of spectral lines toward longer wavelengths (the red end of the spectrum) in rediation from distant galaxies and celestial objects.

Cosmic Microwave Background

electromagnetic radiation left over from an early stage of the universe in Big Bang cosmology

Stellar Nucleosynthsis

Stars much larger than our Sun can fuse heavier elements from lighter elements.

iron

The heaviest element that can be made in a star

star

very hot ball of gas (plasma)

Supernova Nucleosynthsis

phenomenally large explosion

Big Bang Cosmology

Matter dilutes as the Universe expands

Steady-State Cosmology

Matter is constantly created as the Universe expands

Atom

smallest unit of matter that have all the properties of an element. They are composed of smaller subatomic particles as protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Atomic Number

indicates the number of protons in an atom.

Atomic Mass

equal to the sum of the number of protons and neutrons

Isotope

refer to atoms with the same atomic number but different masses

Ions

which are positively or negatively charged particles, have the same number of protons in different number of electrons