With reference to the earliest conditions present following the Big Bang, describe the processes that led to the transformation of radiation into matter. (4 marks)
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- According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began as a hot, dense, and homogeneous state of pure energy.
- As the universe expanded and cooled, this energy was converted into matter and antimatter particles, such as quarks, leptons, and their antiparticles.
- These particles and antiparticles annihilated each other in pairs, releasing more energy in the form of radiation.
- However, there was a slight asymmetry between matter and antimatter, which resulted in a small excess of matter over antimatter. This excess matter is what makes up the observable universe today.
- The transformation of radiation into matter occurred in several stages (or epochs), depending on the temperature and energy of the universe.
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- According to the Big Bang theory, the universe began as a hot, dense, and homogeneous state of pure energy.
- As the universe expanded and cooled, this energy was converted into matter and antimatter particles, such as quarks, leptons, and their antiparticles.
- These particles and antiparticles annihilated each other in pairs, releasing more energy in the form of radiation.
- However, there was a slight asymmetry between matter and antimatter, which resulted in a small excess of matter over antimatter. This excess matter is what makes up the observable universe today.
- The transformation of radiation into matter occurred in several stages (or epochs), depending on the temperature and energy of the universe.