Timeline of the Universe After the Big Bang

Inflation Era

The period (~10^-35 seconds) where the universe expands rapidly from subatomic size to the size of a football.

Quantum fluctuations

Small variations during inflation that lay the foundation for the large-scale structure of the universe.

Quark Era

The period (~10^-32 seconds) when fundamental particles like quarks and gluons form as energy condenses.

Matter-antimatter imbalance

A slight asymmetry during the Quark Era that allows matter to dominate over antimatter.

Natural Laws

The period (~10^-9 seconds) when the four fundamental forces begin to separate as the universe cools.

Natural laws

Laws such as gravity that start to take shape during the Electroweak Era.

Hadron Era

The period (~10^-5 seconds) when quarks combine to form protons and neutrons, known as hadrons.

Nucleosynthesis Begins

The event (at 1 second) where the universe cools enough for the formation of the first atomic nuclei, mainly hydrogen and helium.

Opaque Universe

The state of the universe (200 seconds) where protons and electrons form neutral hydrogen atoms, scattering light.

The Universe Today

The process (300,000 years) when the temperature drops further, allowing stable atoms to form, making the universe transparent.

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)

The release of photons after recombination, providing a snapshot of the early universe.