Questions and Answers
What is described as the 'first ten-tredecillionth of a second' in the universe's timeline?
Which theory involves tiny vibrating strings in an eleven-dimensional space?
What occurred 13.8 billion years ago according to current scientific understanding?
During which epoch does the electroweak force combine weak and electromagnetic forces?
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What is the size of the universe during the Planck Era compared to known particles?
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What temperature was reached during the Grand Unification Epoch due to high density?
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Which two forces are unified in the Grand Unification Theory?
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What phenomenon describes the unpredictable interactions during the Planck Era?
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Which force breaks free from the grand unification during the Grand Unification Epoch?
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What term describes the period when gravity was the first force to manifest?
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What are the four fundamental forces mentioned in the Planck Era?
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What phenomenon occurs when observing fundamental particles changes their outcome?
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What is the current best theory on the workings of the universe following the Planck Era?
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What phenomenon occurs when massive objects create curves in spacetime?
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What does the flatness problem in cosmology imply about the universe's overall density?
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What was a significant characteristic of the universe during the ElectroWeak Epoch?
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What occurs during recombination in the early universe?
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What evidence supports the Big Bang theory regarding the cosmic microwave background (CMB)?
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During which epoch did gluons and quarks begin to interact with each other?
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Which concept explains the phenomenon of the night sky being dark despite the universe being infinite?
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What is the significance of the expanding universe as proposed by Edwin Hubble?
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What happens during Big Bang nucleosynthesis?
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In the current observable universe, what is the primary temperature noted?
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What does homogeneity in the universe refer to?
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Which fundamental forces were present during the ElectroWeak Epoch?
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What defines the bubble of observable universe?
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Study Notes
Theories on the Universe
- Big Bang Theory: Proposes a rapid expansion of space from a singular point, leading to the creation of the universe.
- Big Bounce Theory: Suggests the current universe is one of many, following an infinite cycle of expansion and contraction.
- String Theory: Describes a multiverse where particles are tiny vibrating strings existing in eleven dimensions.
Beginning of the Universe
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Max Planck's Constants:
- Planck temperature: 1.42 × 10^32 K
- Planck length: 1.62 × 10^-35 m
- Planck time: 5.39 × 10^-44 s
- The universe originated approximately 13.8 billion years ago, condensing into a very compact state as time progresses backward.
Planck Era
- Duration: First ten-tredecillionth of a second (10^-42 s).
- Defined by four fundamental forces: Strong, Weak, Electromagnetic, and Gravity.
- Size of the universe was smaller than a proton. Quantum mechanics reveals that observation affects outcomes.
Grand Unification Epoch
- Occurred within the first undecillionth of a second (10^-36 s).
- Merged forces include Electroweak and Electrostrong.
- Universe remained smaller than a quark, with temperatures reaching trillions of Kelvin, undergoing rapid particle transformations.
Cosmic Expansion
- Universe is currently observable as a bubble 93 billion light-years in diameter.
- Thermal equilibrium occurred before cosmic inflation, resulting in homogeneity observed today.
- Expansion may have spread monopoles widely apart.
ElectroWeak Epoch
- Characterized by significant energy drops, where three of the fundamental forces exist but have minimal impact on particle behavior.
Quark Era
- Lasted up to one billionth of a second (10^-9 s), with the universe exhibiting symmetry.
- Fundamental forces became distinct, allowing for interactions among particles.
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
- Initiated approximately 17 minutes post-Big Bang, resulting in the fusion of protons and neutrons, forming light elements like hydrogen and helium.
- After cooling, gravity facilitated the formation of these light elements.
Recombination
- Occurred around 377,000 years after the Big Bang when the universe cooled enough for electrons and nuclei to form neutral atoms.
Evidence for the Big Bang
- Expanding Universe: Edwin Hubble's observation of redshift across galaxies supports expansive motion.
- Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB): A uniform microwave background detected, reflecting leftover heat from the Big Bang at 2.7 K.
- Elemental Ratios: The universal composition aligns with predictions of Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
- Dark Night Sky: Challenges the idea of an infinite universe by illustrating the absence of light from distant stars.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of Module 2, which covers the Composition, Origin, and Evolution of the Physical World. This quiz delves into the Big Bang Theory and its implications for the universe's expansion. Test your understanding of these fundamental theories shaping our knowledge of cosmic origins.
