How Did the Universe

Form?
Day 3

Bell Work
A long time ago, people thought that the sun was
able to shine because it was burning wood.
Explain where the sun actually gets its
energy from, and what process is
involved.

Characteristics of the Sun

Made up of hot gases
(mostly H and He)
Temperature gets
hotter as you move
towards the center

 At the suns core, Hydrogen nuclei collide at high

speeds

H
H
H H
H
H

Nuclear Fusion and

2
E=mc

During fusion, some matter gets converted into

energy
E=mc2

This energy slowly radiates outward from the core

of the sun out into space

How are heavy elements made?

Your friend has a chain necklace made of titanium,
and asks you where you think the titanium in the
necklace came from.
How would you answer your friends question?

When does fusion stop?

Fusion of heavy elements requires very hot
temperatures
The more massive the star, the hotter its core can
get
Fusion will stop when the core is no longer hot
enough to continue with heavier elements

2/2/15
Objective: I can explain how the universe formed
using evidence from its chemical composition.

The Big Bang Theory

At some moment all of space was contained in a
single point from which the universe has
been expanding ever since
Does not provide any explanation for the initial
conditions of the universe

Big Bang Timeline

Big Bang!

Less than 1 second = Hydrogen nuclei form

3 min. 20 min. = Fusion of Hydrogen makes Helium

370,000 years = CMBR streams freely

Big Bang Timeline

Big Bang!

Less than 1 second = Hydrogen nuclei form

3 min. 20 min. = Fusion of Hydrogen makes Helium

370,000 years = CMBR streams freely

Finding a Fossil of the Big Bang

What is a fossil?

Finding a Fossil of the Big Bang

Scientists measure the amounts of simple elements
(H, He, Li, etc.) in the universe and compare them to
their prediction using the big bang theory

This is the fossil!

What have they learned?

The amount of light elements making up stars and
interstellar gas matches their prediction based on the
Big Bang theory.

Summary
Simple elements (hydrogen and helium) were
created during the Big Bang
Heavier elements were made from the fusion of
helium in the center of stars
The amount of simple elements making up stars
and interstellar gas matches the prediction
scientists make based on the Big Bang theory