Big Bang

Big Bang

The massive expansion that created space, time, and energy in the universe 13.8 billion years ago.

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN)

The process that formed the first atomic nuclei during the first three to twenty minutes after the Big Bang.

Hydrogen (H)

The simplest and most abundant element, comprising about 75% of the universe.

Helium (He)

An element formed through the fusion of hydrogen nuclei, making up about 25% of the universe.

Lithium (Li)

A light element created in small amounts during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.

Beryllium (Be)

A light element created in tiny amounts during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, not very stable.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)

The faint glow of radiation considered the 'afterglow' of the Big Bang; matches early universe cooling predictions.

Hydrogen-to-Helium Ratio

Observed proportions of hydrogen and helium in the universe that confirm their formation during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.

Nebulae

Giant clouds of hydrogen and helium pulled together by gravity that form stars.

Protostar

The first stage in a star's life, formed when a nebula collapses under gravity.

Nuclear Fusion

The process that occurs in a star's core when it becomes hot enough, fusing lighter elements into heavier ones.

Stellar Nucleosynthesis

The process by which stars create heavier elements through nuclear fusion.

Small Stars

Stars like the Sun, where hydrogen fuses into helium and later helium fuses into carbon and oxygen.

Massive Stars

Stars that can fuse helium into carbon, oxygen, neon, magnesium and continue fusing heavier elements up to iron.

Iron (Fe)

The element produced in the core of massive stars, marking the end of stable nuclear fusion.

Supernova

The violent explosion of a massive star that occurs after fusion stops, allowing the formation of elements heavier than iron.

Nickel (Ni)

An element formed during a supernova explosion.

Cobalt (Co)

An element produced in supernova explosions and formed from rapid neutron capture.

Lead (Pb)

An element formed both during supernova explosions and as a result of slow neutron capture in large stars.

Gold (Au)

An element created during rapid neutron capture in supernovae or neutron star collisions.

Platinum (Pt)

An element produced from rapid neutron capture processes.

Uranium (U)

The heaviest naturally occurring element, formed during supernova explosions.

Rapid Neutron Capture (r-process)

A process that occurs during supernovae or neutron star collisions, resulting in the production of heavy elements.

Slow Neutron Capture (s-process)

A process that occurs inside large stars before they explode, forming elements like lead and bismuth.

Supernova Remnants

The debris left after a supernova, containing newly formed heavy elements.

Meteorites

Space rocks that contain elements such as gold and uranium, some of which originated from neutron star mergers.

Cosmic Life Cycle of Elements

The process involving the creation and transformation of elements from the Big Bang through stars to supernovae.

Building Blocks of the Universe

Hydrogen, helium, and other light elements formed after the Big Bang, essential for the existence of stars and planets.

Stardust

The concept that the elements in our bodies originated from stars that exploded billions of years ago.

First Atomic Nuclei

The initial formations of protons and neutrons into atomic nuclei during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.

Energy Conversion

The process during the Big Bang where pure energy converted into matter forming subatomic particles.

Temperatures of CMB

The temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation aligns with predictions of the early universe's cooling phase.

Element Factories

Stars that fuse lighter elements into heavier ones through nuclear fusion.

Fusion Cease

The end of fusion in stars occurs when iron is produced, as further fusion requires energy rather than releasing it.

Supernovae and Technology

The essential role of supernovae in creating heavy elements used in technology and medicine.

Formation of Light Elements

The creation of hydrogen, helium, lithium, and beryllium in the initial moments post-Big Bang.

Neutron Star Collisions

Astrophysical events that contribute to the creation of heavy elements like gold and platinum.

Evidence for Light Element Formation

Strong scientific support indicating the production of light elements during the Big Bang.

Nuclear Reaction

A process whereby atomic nuclei collide and interact to form new elements.

Galactic Enrichment

The process where newly formed elements from supernova explosions enrich the interstellar medium.

Neutron Capture Processes

Mechanisms responsible for the creation of elements heavier than iron, including the r-process and s-process.

Element Codes in Stars

Studying the light spectra emitted by stars to determine the elements present within them.

Life Cycle of Stars

The progression of a star's life from protostar to stable main sequence star, and eventually to a supernova.

Cosmic Radiation

Radiation that fills the universe, including the CMB that provides evidence of the Big Bang.

Evolution of the Universe

The development of the universe from the Big Bang to the present, shaped by the formation of elements.

Atomic Nuclei Formation

The initial creation of hydrogen and helium atomic nuclei shortly after the Big Bang.

Physics of Elements

The study of how elements are formed through processes like nuclear fusion and neutron capture.

Astrophysical Phenomena

Major cosmic occurrences, such as the Big Bang and supernovae, that significantly impact element formation.

Chemical Composition of Stars

The unique mixture of elements that each star is made up of, determined through spectroscopy.

Cosmic Background Radiation

The uniform radiation filling space, a remnant of the hot early universe.

Building Blocks of Matter

The fundamental elements like protons, neutrons, and electrons that make up all matter.

Formation Conditions

The specific environmental factors present during the Big Bang that allowed for element formation.

Astrophysical Evidence

Observational data supporting theories of how elements were formed in the universe.

Cosmic Time Scale

The timeline of significant events in the universe's history, from the Big Bang to present.

Helium Fusion

The process by which helium is created from hydrogen in the cores of stars.

Stars as Element Producers

The function of stars to generate heavier elements through fusion.

Energy Production in Stars

The release of energy during nuclear fusion that powers stars.

Element Stability

The property of certain elements resulting from their atomic structure, affecting their formation.

Spectroscopic Analysis

A technique used to identify the composition of stars by analyzing their light spectra.

Neutrinos in Supernovae

Subatomic particles produced in mass during supernova explosions, carrying information about the event.

Carbon Cycling in Stars

The process where carbon is created and recycled through multiple generations of stars.

Cosmological Models

Theoretical frameworks that describe the evolution of the universe and the formation of elements.

Origin of Elements

The processes determining how and where various elements were created in the universe.

Interactions of Cosmic Events

The relationships between events like the Big Bang, star formation, and supernovae in cosmic evolution.

Chemical Evolution

The gradual change in the chemical composition of the universe over time through various formation processes.

Hydrogen Fusion

The initial reaction within stars that primarily converts hydrogen into helium.

Galactic Composition

The mixture of elements present in a galaxy, influenced by stellar formation and supernovae.

Role of Gravity

The force that compacts matter to form stars and contributes to the evolution of the universe.

Solar System Composition

The specific elements that make up the solar system, including those formed in stars.

Interstellar Medium

The matter found in the space between stars, enriched by stellar explosions.

Chemical Elements in Biology

The crucial role of elements like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in the structure of living organisms.