Author Question: Briefly describe the steps in the big bang that provided the protons, neutrons, and electrons ... (Read 45 times)

londonang · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

Briefly describe the steps in the big bang that provided the protons, neutrons, and electrons necessary for nucleosynthesis the building of complex atoms.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What forms of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun's emissions do we experience here on Earth? Illustrate how we know this to be the case with one practical example for each form.

What will be an ideal response?

nicoleclaire22 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

In the first phase of the big bang, the Universe was filled completely with gamma ray photons with very high energies.

As the highest energy gamma ray photons interacted, they produced proton-anitproton and neutron-antineutron pairs. Almost all of the pairs would annihilate and create new photons, but one in a billion pairs would leave a proton or neutron of matter behind.

As the Universe expanded and cooled, the photons dropped in energy and could no longer produce massive particles. The protons and neutrons created in the last phase remained. The photons could create electron-positron pairs. This process continued until the photon energy dropped below the threshold for creating electron-positron pairs. As with protons and neutrons, one in a billion electrons was left behind.

As the photon energy cooled, the protons, neutrons and electrons remained to begin nucleosynthesis.

Answer to Question 2

Visible light:
We can see light and color, and color is reflected in our eyes.
Earth is not in blackness.
Ultraviolet light:
We need to wear sunscreen.
Humans have evolved with different skin pigments.
Infrared:
We feel heat.
Earth isn't a frozen rock