If you wish to make an appleš pie from scratch, you must first invent the universešÆ
Ā – Carl SaganĀ
Universe … this eight letter word has got everything in it me , you …from the smallest particle to the super massive black hole.
But where did it all came from ā What is the origin of everythingā
To answer this question , I would like to take you to a long trip with me to the Beginning of Universe , and after learning that I am sure that you will get a better way to appreciate your existenceš Among many Scientific theories and creation myths around the world , one theory is there that is the most widely accepted is “The Big Bang Theory”.Georges LemaĆ®tre was the first to notice that the universe could be traced back in time into an originating single point – theory of primeval atom.Afterwards , the supporters regarding the beginning of universe diverged into supporters of Big Bang and the other rival theoryĀ – the steady state model. A wide range of evidences have supported Big Bang ; now it’s the most accepted theoryThis theory has two postulates-Ā 1.The universality of physical laws- Physical laws are same everywhere andĀ 2. The cosmological principle-Ā on large scales the universe is homogeneous and isotropic ( same everywhere )Going back to time is like compressing universe into smaller and smaller , with particles becoming more energeticā As long as the things are within ourĀ limits of understanding of particle physics , we can be sure about our understanding of universe.Helped by the powerful computers , physicists can now explain a great deal about the universe down to the first nanosecond ( 10(^-9) sec). They have some strong guesses down to 10^(-35) secs but they are very sure about the events that happened after 10^(-10) second.
WE OWE OUR UNDERSTANDING TO ITĀ
* From 0-10^(-43) secs all the fundamental forces were unified as one – Plank Epoch.
*Width of universe – 10^(-35) meter and temp appx. 10^(32)( I have mentioned fundamental forces here- what the heck is particle physics?)
*Then at 10^(-43) grand unification epoch began where gravitation separated from other forces with expansion of universe. The universe was pure energy at this stage. Too hotš for particles to be created!
*At appx. 10^(-37)secs into expansion , cosmic inflation took place and the universe suddenly expanded( think of like a dough expanding) – into what ? Into itself
Microscopic Qunatum fluctuations were there which were the seeds for formation of large scale structures ( galaxies , clusters , etc) of the universe
*At around 10^(-36) secs , strong nuclear force separates , leaving electromagnetic and weak nuclear force united.
*The universe continued expanding with electromagnetic and weak forces separation at about 10^(-12) secs.
TIMELINE OF SEPARATION OF FORCES
*How was the universe at 10^(-10) secs ? For this , let’s talk about the expansion of quark gluon soup and it’s radiation-
The universe was a hot ball of gas š„ with energy of 1 TeV and temp. 10^(16) Kelvin. Ordinary Matter couldn’t exist at this temp. It was in its smallest constituent particles quarks ( check the blog on particle physics ) . The particles were packed so closely together that quarks blended together to form Quark Soupš² (hot hot).
QUARK SOUP
There were dark matter particles ( not interacting with quarks anymore) and the universeš was bathing in high energyĀ radiation (photons) . Collision of 2Ā photons formed quark and anti-quark (opposite charge as quark ) and vice versa . There was a nice balance between quarks and photons( a photon has 0 charge so it’s anti-particle is photon itself )
When particles and anti-particles come together , they annihilate each other š„ leading to formation of radiation only.
Wait!
We hear often , that we are made up of particles , never heard that that thing is made up of anti-particles . But when particle and anti- particles have been produced in equal number at the start , how come that we see only particles today ? How we came into existence?
We will get to this question in the next part of the story in the next blog
Keep thinking about the mystery till then āš»
Only 10^(-10) secs have passedĀ and there is so much happening in the Universeš – take a moment to appreciate your existenceĀ š