Lesson 3: Cosmic Origin of Elements

Question 1

The study of how the universe began, how it continues, and how it will end

Answer 1

Cosmology

Question 2

Cosmological Theory is AKA?

Answer 2

Big Bang Theory / Big Bang Model

Question 3

Cosmological Theory states that?

Answer 3

The universe once began expanding and continues doing so to this day.

Question 4

True or False: In reality, there actually was a big bang or explosion.

Answer 4

False, the universe only expanded and inflated.

Question 5

Who created the Big Bang Theory?

Answer 5

Georges Lemaître and Edwin Hubble

Question 6

The Key Stages of the Big Bang Model

Answer 6

1. Hot and dense initial singularity
2. Inflation
3. Plasma soup, nucleosynthesis/nuclear fusion
4. Recombination
5. Stellar formation and evolution

Question 7

Nucleosynthesis

Answer 7

From inflation and expansion, the universe eventually cooled down to a temperature suitable for protons and neutrons to combine into a nucleus.

Question 8

Recombination

Answer 8

• Nuclei further cool down to attract electrons.
• The universe cooled down enough for atoms to exist.

Question 9

What was the first element discovered?

Answer 9

Helium

Question 10

What was the first element formed in the universe?

Answer 10

Hydrogen

Question 11

True or False: The fusion of hydrogen nuclei led to the formation of Helium and some Lithium.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Stellar Formation and Evolution

Answer 12

The fusion of hydrogen and helium signals the birth of a star.

Question 13

True or False: In stellar evolution, elements produced were heavier than Lithium.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What other elements were formed during Stellar Formation and Evolution?

Answer 14

Carbon, Neon, Oxygen, Silicon, and Iron

Question 15

Measurement of the singularity?

Answer 15

1 cm in diameter

Question 16

Atoms of an element that have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.

Answer 16

Isotopes

Question 17

What was the first isotope formed?

Answer 17

Deuterium

Question 18

Stellar Explosion

Answer 18

A red giant star’s core starts to collapse. Huge amounts of energy are produced and released, forming heavier elements than Fe through neutron capture and radioactive decay.

Question 19

What do we call a star’s violent explosion?

Answer 19

A supernova

Question 20

When a red supergiant dies, it can either become?

Answer 20

A neutron star or a black hole

Question 21

When a red giant dies, it becomes?

Answer 21

A white dwarf

Question 22

Nuclear Fusion

Answer 22

A nucleus combines with another nucleus

Question 23

Nuclear Fission

Answer 23

A nucleus splits into smaller nuclei

Question 24

What do we call the emission of energetic particles of an atom?

Answer 24

Radioactivity