Nuestra Señora De Guia Academy

MODULE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE

The Big Bang Theory
Week 1 / Day 1

OVERVIEW
The big bang theory is a cosmological model stating that the universe started its expansion
about 13.8 billion years ago. Pieces of evidence supporting this theory are (1) occurrence of
redshift, (2) background radiation, and (3) abundance of light elements. This module will
focus on the origin of the universe which is the big bang theory.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. state the idea of big bang theory; and
2. explain the stages and evidence of the big bang theory.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation – It is the electromagnetic radiation left over
from an early stage of the universe in Big Bang.
Cosmology - It is a branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the
universe, from the Big Bang to today and on into the future.
Inflation Theory - Theory of exponential expansion of space in the early universe.
Nucleosynthesis - The process that creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing nucleons,
primarily protons and neutrons.
Recombination - Recombination refers to the epoch at which charged electrons and protons
first became bound to form electrically neutral hydrogen atoms.
Redshift - The displacement of spectral lines toward longer wavelengths in radiation from
distant galaxies and celestial objects.
Singularity - It is a point in space and/or a moment in time where the universe was infinitely
hot and dense.
DISCUSSION
The Big Bang Theory
The big bang theory was first proposed by Georges Lemaitre in 1927. Georges Lemaitre was
a Belgian Roman Catholic priest, physicist, and astronomer. He is usually credited with the first
definitive formulation of the idea of an expanding universe and what was to become known as the Big
Bang theory of the origin of the universe.
The big bang theory is the idea that the universe began as just a single point, then expanded
and stretched to grow as large as it is right now (and it could still be stretching). One of the
misconceptions about the Big Bang is that it began in an explosion. There was no explosion, just a
rapid expansion that has been evolving based on the cumulative gravitational effects of everything
contained within our Universe.
STAGES OF BIG BANG THEORY

Page 1 of 3
 1. Singularity
It is a point in space and/or a moment in time where the universe was infinitely hot and
dense. According to the standard theory, our universe sprang into existence as "singularity"
around 13.7 billion years ago. Singularities are zones which defy our current understanding
of physics. They are thought to exist at the core of "black holes." Black holes are areas of
intense gravitational pressure. The pressure is thought to be so intense that finite matter is
squished into infinite density (a mathematical concept which truly boggles the mind). These
zones of infinite density are called "singularities."

2. Inflation
Inflation is a theory of exponential expansion of space in the early universe. The
inflationary epoch lasted from 10−36 seconds. The Inflation Theory proposes a period of
extremely rapid (exponential) expansion of the universe during its first few moments. It was
developed around 1980 to explain several puzzles with the standard Big Bang theory, in which
the universe expands relatively gradually throughout its history.

3. Nucleosynthesis
Nucleosynthesis is the process that
creates new atomic nuclei from pre-existing
nucleons, primarily protons and neutrons.
The term nucleosynthesis refers to the
formation of heavier elements, atomic nuclei
with many protons and neutrons, from the
fusion of lighter elements.

As the universe cooled, the neutrons either decayed into protons and electrons or
combined with protons to make deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen). During the first three
minutes of the universe, most of the deuterium combined to make helium. Trace amounts of
lithium were also produced at this time. This process of light element formation in the early
universe is called “Big Bang nucleosynthesis”.
4. Recombination
Recombination refers to the epoch at which charged electrons and protons first
became bound to form electrically neutral hydrogen atoms.
EVIDENCE OF BIG BANG THEORY
1. Redshift
In the 1910s, Vesto Slipher and Carl Wilhelm Wirtz measured the wavelengths of light
from spiral nebulae, which are interstellar clouds of dust and ionized gases. They discovered
that the light from the nebulae increased in wavelength. They explained their discovery as a
Doppler shift. The Doppler shift or Doppler effect explains that when an object gets closer to
us, its light waves are compressed into shorter wavelengths (blue shifted, because blue light
has the shortest wavelength in the visible region). On the other hand, when an object moves
away from us, its light waves are stretched into longer wavelengths (redshifted, because red
light has the longest wavelength in the visible region).
Slipher and Wirtz then explained that the redshift or increase in wavelength was due
to the increase in the distance between the Earth and the nebulae. They concluded that the
redshift occurred due to the expansion of space.
Page 2 of 3
 In 1929, Edwin Hubble used the redshift of light from galaxies to calculate the velocities
and distances of these galaxies from the Earth. He discovered that they were moving away
from the Earth and from each other. His calculations supported the theory that the universe is
expanding.
2. Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
In 1965, Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias discovered a low, steady “hum” from their
Holmdel Horn antenna (an antenna built to support NASA’s Project Echo). They concluded
that the noise is Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR), the remains of energy
created after the big bang expansion.
3. Abundance of Light Elements
The observed abundance of light elements supports the big bang theory. The theory
predicts that the universe is composed of 73% hydrogen and 25% helium by mass. The
prediction correlated to the measured abundances of primordial material in unprocessed gas
in some parts of the universe with no stars.
EVALUATION
Directions: Explain each question. Your essay should be as well organized and as
carefully written as you can make it.

1. What is the major theory pertaining to the nature of expanding galaxy? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. Why do some scientists believe that the universe is expanding?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
3. Aside from the theories discussed in this lesson, what other theories can you
suggest explaining the origin of the universe? You may use the internet to search
for other theories. Make sure to write your references.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES

• Physical Science by Karen S. Santiago (Phoenix Publication)

• Physical Science for Senior High School by Olivia B. Ungson (Trinitas Publishing
Inc.)
• Quipper School: E-learning System

Page 3 of 3