Chapter 1: Problem 9

When did hydrogen and helium atoms form? (D)

Short Answer

Expert verified

Hydrogen and helium atoms formed during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, which occurred when the universe was approximately 3 minutes to 20 minutes old, with most of the formation taking place around the 3-minute mark.

Step by step solution

Understand the early universe and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

In the early stages of the universe, it was too hot and dense for atoms to form. Instead, the universe was a soup of particles called a quark-gluon plasma. As the universe expanded and cooled, protons and neutrons formed, and later, the first hydrogen and helium atoms were created through a process called Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN).

Identify the timeline of hydrogen formation

Hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, formed when protons (which are hydrogen nuclei) captured electrons. Protons and neutrons had already formed within the first second after the Big Bang, but electron capture for hydrogen nuclei happened when the universe was about 3 minutes to 20 minutes old, with the majority of it happening around 3 minutes.

Identify the timeline of helium formation

Helium, the second lightest element, also began forming during the BBN period. The formation of helium started with the fusion of two protons and two neutrons to create helium-4 nuclei. This process occurred when the universe was about 3 minutes to 20 minutes old, like hydrogen.

Combine the information to answer the question

Hydrogen and helium atoms formed during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, which took place when the universe was about 3 minutes to 20 minutes old. The majority of hydrogen and helium atom formation happened around the 3-minute mark.

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When did hydrogen and helium atoms form? (D)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the early universe and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

Identify the timeline of hydrogen formation

Identify the timeline of helium formation

Combine the information to answer the question

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