We explain what the Big Bang Theory is, how it originated and its scientific importance. Also, the scientists who made it possible.
What is the Big Bang Theory?
The Big Bang Theory or Great Explosion Theory is the most widely accepted cosmological model currently scientifically, that is, the most accepted explanation of the origin of the Universe currently. Its name, “big bang”, means “big explosion” in English.
Its name comes from the explanation it proposes for the beginning of all things: an original state of very high density and temperature, concentrated at a minimum point. Its enormous internal forces caused a gigantic explosion that gave rise to the universe, to time and space (or space-time, as contemporary physics proposes).
According to the Big Bang Theory, the universe is in constant expansion as evidenced by numerous astronomical observations, which present evidence of the initial explosion that would have set it in motion, about 13.8 billion years ago.
The expansion meant a necessary cooling of the universe. In this way, the origin of matter was possible, which then became more complex until it formed everything that exists: first clouds of hot gas, then stars and finally planets and asteroids.
The universe went through different stages of cooling and expansion, with important phase changes, which allow us to project different future scenarios. On the one hand, some scientists propose that the expansion will slow down over time and lead to compaction, as gravitational attraction prevails in a “Big Crunch” or great implosion.
Other possibilities suggest that the universe continues to move away and cool, until the distances are so great that the gravitational force is lost and new stars cannot be created.
The Big Bang Theory It is a consequence of astronomical observations carried out throughout the 20th century, in which it became evident that, judging by the composition of outer space and the characteristics of the light emitted by the most distant stars, the Universe is in a process of expansion, that is , things are moving further apart as more and more space is created.
Key to reaching this conclusion were the postulation of Einstein's Theory of Relativity, as well as the studies of Alexander Friedman in 1922 and Georges Lamaître in 1927, and the observations of Edwin Hubble in 1948.
In 1948 the idea arose that the expansive movement was the consequence of a gigantic original explosion. It was not until 1965 that the first evidence pointing to the veracity of this assumption was detected.
See also: Steady State Theory
Importance of the Big Bang Theory
Cosmological models are something intrinsic to human culture, since we need to give ourselves an explanation regarding the origin of things. From these explanations we can also infer possible conclusions regarding the destiny of the Universe and our existence.
In that sense, the Big Bang Theory seems to be the most accurate and the one that has given the best results in the entire history of science, judging by the evidence obtained from the inspection of outer space. Besides, other modern revolutionary theories converge in it like the works of Einstein and other later scientists.
Authors of the Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory It is the product of the historical contribution of numerous scientists more than a single exponent. Curiously, the name by which it is known comes from the mind of one of its staunchest detractors, the British Fred Hoyle (1945-2001), who was instead a defender of the Stationary Universe Model.
The Ukrainian physicist George Gamow first stated it in 1948 such as the possibility that a big explosion was behind the expansion of the Universe. However, the Belgian priest Georges Lamaître had previously proposed, based on the observation of certain nebulae, that the universe had been born from the expansion of a type of primordial atom.
The closest thing to a scientific verification of the Big Bang came in 1965, when the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) was predicted and then detected by a group of scientists using modern technology.
The predictions made by the Big Bang Model regarding the black body and the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background were verified at that time with a surprising margin of precision.
Continue with: Origin of matter
References
- “Big Bang” on Wikipedia.
- “The Big Bang Theory in 60 seconds” (video) on Explainerstv.
- “The Big Bang Theory and the origin of the universe” in AstroMía.
- “Big Bang Theory” on Astrojem.com.
- “Big-bang model” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.
