Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

Big Bang
Theory
Balloon Demonstration
1. Partially inflate a balloon. Twist the
opening and hold it shut.
2. Draw and label four squares A,B,C, and
D. Measure the distance between the
squares. Record the data
3. Inflate the balloon to its fullest capacity.
Repeat your measurements.
Guide Questions:
1. What happened to the distances between the
dots as you inflated the balloon?
2. Did some of the dots move farther apart than
others? Why?
3. Suppose the balloon represents the universe.
How does this activity show what is
happening to the universe and to the galaxies
in it?
Big Bang Theory
- the leading explanation
about how the universe
began.
The Big Bang Theory is the leading
explanation for how the universe began.
Simply put, it says the universe as we
know it started with an infinitely hot
and dense single point that inflated and
stretched.
The cosmic microwave background
(CMB) is leftover radiation from the
Big Bang or the time when the universe
began. As the theory goes, when the universe
was born it underwent rapid inflation,
expansion and cooling. The CMB represents
the heat leftover from the Big Bang.
The Origin of Light and Heavy Elements
The origin of all the naturally occurring
elements fall into two phases:
• Big Bang or Primordial Nucleosynthesis
• Stellar Nucleosynthesis
• Super Nova Nucleosynthesis
Nucleosynthesis
- The process that creates new atomic
nucleus from pre-existing nucleons,
which is proton and neutrons.
Big Bang or Primordial
Nucleosynthesis
- Refers to the process of
producing the light elements.
- the origin of the light elements.
The energy and temperature of
the universe are extremely high to
cause the neutrons and protons to
combine and form certain species of
atomic nuclei in a process called
nuclear fusion.
Through
nuclear fusion,
the light
elements were
formed.
The isotopes produced
during the big bang
nucleosynthesis were H-1,
H-2, H-3, H-4, L-7
An isotope is a form of an
element that has the same atomic
number of the original elements
but with different atomic mass or
mass number.
Origin of the Heavier
Elements
Heavier elements were formed only
billions of years after the formation of
stars.
Stars are hot and dense enough to

burn hydrogen to helium.
Stellar Nucleosynthesis
- the theory explaining the
creation of chemical elements by
nuclear fusion reaction between
atoms within stars.
Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Stellar nucleosynthesis is the
process by which elements are
created within stars by combining
the protons and neutrons together
from the nuclei of lighter elements.
All of the atoms in the universe
began as hydrogen. Fusion inside
stars transforms hydrogen into
helium, heat, and radiation. Heavier
elements are created in different
types of stars as they die or explode.
During stellar evolution, nuclear
reactions continued which produce
elements heavier than lithium.
Supernova Nucleosynthesis
Supernova Nucleosynthesis
-The final epoch of the stellar
nucleosynthesis.
Supernova massive explosion of a
star. Explosive death of a star. Supernova
are so powerful they create new atomic
nuclei. As a massive star collapses, it
produces a shockwave that can induce
fusion reactions in the star's outer shell.
This shock wave compresses
the material it passes through and
is the only place where many
elements such as zinc, silver, tin,
gold, mercury, lead and
uranium are produced.
These fusion
reactions create
new atomic nuclei
in a process called
nucleosynthesis.
In supernova nucleosynthesis,
neutron capture reaction takes
place.
Neutron Capture
Neutron Capture
- This process occurs as a seed
nucleus captures neutrons, forming a
heavier isotope of the element that can
either be stable or radioactive.
S-process (Slow)
- Neutron capture occurs so slowly
that the beta decay of the product
isotope happens before it can
capture another neutron.
R-process (Rapid)
-a series of neutron capture may
occur very fast the seed nucleus
turns into relatively heavier nucleus
before beta decay takes place.
In a neutron capture reaction, heavy
elements are created by addition of
more neutrons to existing nuclei instead
of fusion of light elements.
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
Proton-Proton Cycle
C-N-O Cycle
Tri-Alpha Process
Alpha Ladder Process

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

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Big Bang

Stars are hot and dense enough to

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