1. Big Bang Theory
Sample Student Paper
(Names Removed)

2. Introduction
Big Bang Theory- a theory that deduces a
cataclysmic birth of the universe (Big Bang)
from the observed expansion of the
universe, cosmic background radiation,
abundance of the elements, and the laws of
physics
The Big Bang theory is a theory based on the
beginning of the universe that is a branch of
the field of science called cosmology.

3. Introduction (cont'd)
The Big Bang is known as a singularity. A
singularity is a zone of infinite density such
as the cores of black holes. Singularities are
also zones that seem to defy our current
understanding of physics.
Cosmology- the branch of astronomy that
deals with the general structure and
evolution of the universe

4. Origin of the Theory
In the 1920s a Belgian priest named Georges
Lamaitre suspected that the universe had
started from a single atom. Edwin Hubble
then supported Lamaitre's theory with his
observations of the galaxies are moving
farther away in all directions. Other
observations made by Arno Penzias and
Robert Wilson had contributed to the idea.

5. When it Happened
Common belief in
today's scientific
industry suggests
that the beginning of
our universe, the Big
Bang, started around
13.7 billion years
ago.

6. What Happened
It is believed that the Big Bang, once started,
got bigger and cooled, going from very tiny
and very hot to our modern universe we live
in today. To this date our universe has
expanded and cooled and continues
everyday in this ongoing process.

7. Evidence
• The universe must have had a beginning
• Galaxies appear to be moving away from us
• A glow of cosmic microwave background
radiation found throughout the universe is
thought to be a remnant of the Big Bang.

8. Cosmic Microwave Background
Radiation
Cosmic microwave background radiation is
thought to be a remnant of leftover light
from the Big Bang that is found throughout
the universe. The radiation is similar to that
of for TV signals by antennas. It is believed
to hold details of the Big Bang and the early
universe being the oldest radiation known.

9. Common Misconceptions
People often tend to think of a giant explosion
when really the Big Bang was and continues
to be an expansion. Instead of thinking of it
as a balloon popping; imagine it as a balloon
expanding and filling with air continuing on
and on to the size of our universe.

10. Common Misconceptions (cont'd)
Another misconception is we tend to think of
it as a fireball or a random happening
somewhere out in space. The Big Bang was
the beginning of the universe so therefore it
was not somewhere out in space because
there was nothing there before it happened.

11. Hydrogen
The First Atoms
Soon after the Big Bang, protons and neutrons
had begun to react to form deuterium, an
isotope of hydrogen, which then collected
another neutron to form tritium. Not long
after that another proton was added and
helium was formed. Only minutes after the
beginning the first atoms, hydrogen and
helium, were created.
Helium

12. The COBE Satellite
The Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) is a
satellite that was launched into Earth's orbit
by NASA on November 18th, 1989. NASA's
COBE satellite observes the cosmic
background radiation
left over by the Big Bang
and can precisely measure
and map it.

13. The COBE Satellite (cont'd)
Some of COBE's observations of the radiation
spectrum coincides perfectly to ideas on the
Big Bang theory. Based on what COBE has
observed it can map a simulation to what
our early universe was like soon after the
Big Bang.

14. Theories of Expansion
There are three different theories of what will
happen with our universe and how it
expands.
• The Big Crunch
• Continuing Forever
• The Big Chill

15. The Big Crunch
The Big Crunch is a situation that scientists
predict will happen. The Big Crunch explains
how the universe will end. The theory states
that the universe will not continue to
expand forever. Eventually the expansion of
the universe will stop and the universe will
collapse on itself forming a gigantic black
hole.

17. Continuing Forever
If the universe is less dense than the "critical
density" then it will continue to expand
forever. If the universe is more dense than
the "critical density" then the universe will
collapse on itself which is called the Big
Crunch.
The "critical density" is 10^-30 grams per cubic
centimeter

18. The Big Chill
The Big Chill is a theory that states the
universe will continue expanding and
eventually run down to a state of zero
energy. The temperatures will reach very
close to absolute zero where the only
remaining things would be burnt out stars,
cold dead planets, and black holes.

19. Works Cited
Big bang theory. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.big-bang-theory.com
Big bang: How did the universe begin?. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~yukimoon/BigBang/
Origins of the universe. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/origins-universe-article/
The big bang: It sure was big!! . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/bigbang.htm
COBE satellite marks 20th anniversary. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/cobe_20th.html
New theory says big bang was more like water freezing to ice. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48744774/ns/technology_and_science/t/new-theory-says-big-
bang-was-more-water-freezing-ice/
The big bang theory in cosmology: Science, metaphysics, the universe and your life.. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.metaphysics-for-life.com/big-bang-theory.html
Big crunch. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.universetoday.com/37018/big-crunch/

20. The big bang theory—a scientific critique. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=54
How the big bang theory works. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/astronomy-terms/big-bang-theory1.htm
The big bounce. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://stcescience.wordpress.com/tag/big-bang/
Is the big bang theory legal?. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://exploringcreationscience.blogspot.com/2011/06/is-big-bang-theory-legal.html
Will the universe expand forever?. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/universe/uni_shape.html
Density of the universe. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.universetoday.com/36573/density-of-
the-universe/