Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and the Creation of Elements

According to the passage, what does the 'Big Bang' theory explain?

• The end of the universe

• The creation of elements in stars

• The origin of the universe

• The formation of planets

How long ago did the Big Bang occur, according to the passage?

• 13.8 million years ago

• 13.8 billion years ago

• 1 billion years ago

• 1 million years ago

Fill in the blank: Just a few minutes after the universe began, it was unimaginably hot—around _______ kelvins.

• one billion

• one thousand

• one million

• ten thousand

Which subatomic particles were created just after the Big Bang?

• Protons, neutrons, and electrons

• Photons, neutrinos, and quarks

• Alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays

• Positrons, muons, and tau particles

Refer to the diagram of Hydrogen (H) and Helium (He) atoms. Which of these elements was created in the first few minutes after the Big Bang?

• Both Hydrogen and Helium

• Only Oxygen

• Only Carbon

• Only Nitrogen

The hydrogen that powers our Sun and creates water was formed in the first few minutes after the Big Bang.

• True

• False

According to the passage on Stellar Nucleosynthesis, what causes enormous clouds of hydrogen gas (nebulae) to collapse?

• The force of gravity.

• Solar winds from nearby stars.

• Cosmic radiation pressure.

• Magnetic fields in space.

What is the powerful reaction called that ignites when the temperature in the center of a gas cloud reaches about 10 million degrees Celsius?

• Nuclear fusion.

• Combustion.

• Photosynthesis.

• Evaporation.

Inside the hot cores of young stars, which two elements fuse together to form helium?

• Hydrogen atoms.

• Oxygen atoms.

• Carbon atoms.

• Nitrogen atoms.

In stars much larger than our Sun, fusion doesn't stop at helium. Which of the following elements are formed as the star ages and gets hotter?

• A) Carbon, Oxygen, Neon, Magnesium

• B) Gold, Silver, Platinum

• C) Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium

• D) Sodium, Potassium, Calcium