The Big Bang Theory - Key Concepts

Flashcards covering Physical Science overview and the key stages and concepts of the Big Bang Theory from the notes.

What are the four general areas of Physical Science?

Chemistry, Astronomy, Physics, and Earth Sciences.

What does Chemistry study?

Matter in terms of property, composition, structure, changes, and energy.

What is Physics the science of?

Matter, motion, and energy; explains and predicts interactions between matter and energy.

What do Earth Sciences study?

Earth’s structure, properties, and processes; essential to maintenance of life on the planet.

What does Astronomy study and what is cosmology?

Astronomy studies anything around the universe beyond Earth; Cosmology is the origin, development, structure, history, and future of the universe.

What elements does Big Bang nucleosynthesis form?

Light elements: hydrogen (H), helium (He), and lithium (Li).

What elements are formed during stellar formation and evolution?

Elements heavier than Be to Fe.

What event forms elements heavier than iron?

Stellar explosion, or supernova.

Who proposed that the universe began as a single point?

Georges Lemaître.

Who developed the telescope capable of observing faint nebulae?

Edwin Hubble.

What is the age of the Universe according to NASA in 2024?

13.77 billion years.

What does the Big Bang Theory explain?

How the universe began from a single point and expanded.

What is the Singularity in the Big Bang Theory?

A point in space/time where the universe is infinitely hot and dense.

What is Cosmic Inflation?

Extremely rapid expansion of the universe.

What is nucleosynthesis?

Process of creating atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons.

During recombination, what happens to electrons and protons?

They become bound to form hydrogen atoms.

During recombination, what happens to helium nuclei?

They combine with electrons to form helium atoms.

What is the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB)?

A cooled remnant of the first light that could travel freely through the universe.

What is redshift in astronomy?

Displacement of spectral lines toward longer wavelengths in radiation from distant galaxies and celestial objects.

What is annihilation in particle physics?

Collision and disappearance of matter and antimatter, releasing energy.

What are nucleons?

Protons and neutrons, the building blocks of atomic nuclei.

What are the three cosmic stages of element formation mentioned in the notes?

Big Bang nucleosynthesis (H, He, Li); Stellar formation and evolution (Be to Fe); Stellar explosion or supernova (heavier than Fe).