Big Bang and The
Formation of Elements
Physical Science
- study of inorganic world
- does not study life or living organisms
- main branches are: astronomy, physics,
chemistry and earth science
Chemistry
- study of properties and behavior of matter
(elements, conpounds, atoms, molecules,
ions)
Big Bang
- all matter and energy started from a single
point known as singularity
- an explosion and expansion from a single
point sent space, time, amtter and energy in
all directions
- 13.7 billion years is the age of the universe
Evidences
1. Red shift
2. Abundance of light elements
3. Cosmic microwave background radiation
Nucleosynthesis
- process that creates new atomic nucleus
from pre-existing nucleons, which are
protons and neutrons
- Atomic Number (Z), represents the
number of protons in an element
- Mass Number (A) or Atomic Weight,
number of protons and neutrons
Fusion
- neutrons and protons combine and form
atomic nuclei because of extreme
temperature
- light elements like hydrogen and helium
and small amounts of lithium and beryllium
- H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and L-7 are isotopes
produced during the big bang
nucleosynthesis
- Isotope-form of element that has the same
atomic number of the original element but
with a different atomic mass or mass
number
Origin of Elements
1. Big Bang or Primoridal Nucleosynthesis
- origin of the light elements H (75%) and
He(25%): cooling and expansion
2. Stellar Nucleosynthesis
- fusion happens in the center of the stars;
happened right after the bigbang; formation
of elements from He to Fe
3. Supernova Nucleosynthesis
- formation of elements other than or
heavier than Fe; formed billions years after
the formation of stars; caused by great
density inside a star
Types of Radioactive Decay
- is the process by which an unstable
nucleus loses energy by radiation
1. Alpha Decay
- radioactive decay in which an atomic
nucleus emits an alpha particle
2. Beta Decay
- radioactive decay in which a beta particle
(fast energetic electron or position) is
emitted
3. Gamma Decay
- no particles are ejected from the nucleus;
a high-energy form of electromagnetic
radiation - gamma ray - is released
4. Electron Capture
- a proton-rich nucleus absorbs electron into
the ncleus turning protton to a neutron