Bigbang

Theory and
Formation of
the Light
Elements
Elements are Formed in Different Ways in
our Universe
 Nucleosynthesis
• Nucleosynthesis is the process of element (nuclei) formation.
• Three types: Big Bang nucleosynthesis
Stellar (star) nucleosynthesis
Supernova nucleosynthesis
• Today, only stellar and supernova nucleosynthesis are
occurring in our universe.
• Element formation in our universe relies on nuclear fusion
reactions.
(fusion = come together)
Nuclear Fusion
• In nuclear fusion, smaller nuclei collide together to make larger
nuclei, and energy is released in the form of electromagnetic
radiation.
• Requires extremely high temperatures and pressures beyond those
found on or within Earth. However, these temperatures and
pressures are found inside stars and did occur during the initial
formation of our universe (during the Big Bang event).
• Fusion involves only the nuclei of atoms. At the temperatures at
which fusion can occur, matter exists as a plasma. This is the state
of matter where the electrons have been stripped off of the atoms.
Plasma is basically a super high energy, electrically charged gas.
• When nuclei collide, some of the mass of the nuclei is converted to
energy by Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc2. Nuclear fusion
releases a lot of energy per gram of material; much more energy
than is released by burning a comparable amount of wood, coal, oil,
or gasoline!
The Big Bang
• The Big Bang Theory is the most widely accepted scientific theory
about the origin of the universe. It is supported by multiple lines of
evidence.
• The “Big Bang” was a phenomenally energetic explosion that
initiated the expansion of the universe.
• At the moment prior to the Big Bang explosion, all matter and energy
were compressed at a single point (a singularity – a point of infinite
density).
• The universe has been expanding ever since, with galaxies moving
farther and farther apart.
• Using the rates of expansion measured in the universe and
astronomical distances, the age of the universe can be calculated
back to the time of the Big Bang. The age of the universe is
calculated at about 13.7 billion years old. By contrast, our Sun and its
surrounding planets (i.e. our Solar System) is 4.65 billion years old.
Before Bigbang
• All matter is in the form of hot gas charge particles
• The surrounding temperature 1 second after
bigbang happes to be 5.5 billion degrees Celsius.
(too hot and dense)
• the cosmos primarily composed of Proton, Electron
and Neutron
• From 1032C to 109C Nuclei formation begins known
as BBNS
 Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
• All Hydrogen and most Helium in the universe was produced during
the Big Bang Event, starting ~100 seconds after the explosion. A small
amount of Lithium was also produced.

• Big Bang nucleosynthesis ceased within a few minutes after the Big
Bang because the universe had expanded and cooled sufficiently by
then such that the temperatures and pressures were too low to
support additional nuclear fusion reactions.
 The bigbang is the expansion of
space

Nucleosynthesis
CONCEPT OF
Bigbang
As universe expands it cools

The more energetic the particles are,

the hotter it is.

The identity of an elements depends

on how many proton it has
QUARKS
any member of a group of
elementary subatomic particles
that interact by means of the
strong force and are believed to
be among the fundamental
constituents of matter. ... Quarks
appear to be true elementary
particles; that is, they have no
apparent structure and cannot be
resolved into something smaller.
The very first nuclei with
one proton only
Deuterons – Nucleus of
Deuterium
When 1 proton and 1
nucleus combined/fused
together and emitted
photons.
TRITIUM
• 3 nuclei formed
ISOTOPES
• members of a family of an
element that all have the same
number of protons but different
numbers of neutrons. The
number of protons in a nucleus
determines the element's atomic
number on the Periodic Table.
Helium 4
Helium 3
Making Helium 3
stable
Lithium 7
Unstable
Formation of
2 Helium 4
Formation of Beryllium 7
unstable
Decay of Be 7 to Li 7
• 20 mins after the big bang the
temperature continuous to drop as a
result, proton and neutron were not
able to combined.
• As is collide it only bounce back
These Elements cannot be
seen in the space at all and
no light passes through
300 thousand years after the
bigbang the universe starts to cool
down and particles starts
combining to form neutral atoms
 2 Earliest
Neutral Atoms
HYDROGEN HELIUM
DID YOU KNOW!!!

The next elements

showed was about
billions of years before
it appears.