Notes on the Origins of the Universe and the Big Bang

Big Bang

The initial explosion that marks the beginning of the universe, leading to the expansion of space and matter.

White hole

A theoretical reverse of a black hole, where matter and light escape instead of being pulled in.

Inflation

The rapid expansion of space in the early universe, which caused the universe to grow exponentially in size.

Matter

Substance that has mass and occupies space; everything in the universe is made of matter.

Light

Electromagnetic radiation visible to the human eye, which also includes other wavelengths such as infrared and ultraviolet.

Cosmic background radiation (CBR)

The remnant radiation from the Big Bang, detected as a uniform background of microwave radiation in all directions.

Neutrinos

Subatomic particles that are produced in nuclear reactions, such as those that occurred during the Big Bang, and have very little mass and no electric charge.

Hubble constant

A value that describes the rate of expansion of the universe; relates the velocity of a galaxy to its distance from Earth.

Deuterium

An isotope of hydrogen with one proton and one neutron in its nucleus.

Hadron

A class of subatomic particles that includes baryons (such as protons and neutrons) and mesons, which are made of quarks.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with no electric charge, found in the nucleus of an atom alongside protons.

Primordial nucleosynthesis

The formation of light elements (such as helium and deuterium) during the first few minutes after the Big Bang.