Temperature of big bang
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Temperature of the Big Bang: Insights from Research
Initial Temperature of the Big Bang
The temperature of the Big Bang has been a subject of extensive research and debate. According to the Zero Kelvin Big Bang (ZKBB) model, the Big Bang was an implosion-explosion event involving nuclear fusion of hydrogen, resulting in a temperature of approximately 5.7 billion Kelvin . This model suggests that the universe originated from a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of hydrogen atoms at zero Kelvin, which then exploded, creating the primordial mix of elements and cosmic structures we observe today .
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR)
The discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) with a temperature of 2.7 K is a cornerstone of the hot Big Bang model. This radiation is considered a remnant of the early universe, which was once a very hot, dense plasma. As the universe expanded, the temperature of this radiation decreased to the current value of 2.7 K . The CMBR provides a snapshot of the universe approximately 380,000 years after the Big Bang, when photons decoupled from matter and began to travel freely through space .
Temperature Evolution with Redshift
The temperature of the CMBR is predicted to increase with redshift, reflecting the higher temperatures of the early universe. Measurements at various redshifts support this prediction. For instance, at a redshift of 2.34, the CMBR temperature was found to be between 6.0 and 14 K, consistent with the theoretical prediction of 9.1 K . Similarly, at a redshift of 1.776, the temperature was measured to be 7.4 ± 0.8 K, aligning with the predicted value of 7.58 K . These findings confirm that the CMBR was indeed warmer in the past, supporting the hot Big Bang model.
Gravitational Waves and Big Bang Temperature
Gravitational waves produced in the thermal plasma of the early universe offer another method to estimate the maximum temperature of the Big Bang. The energy density of these stochastic gravitational waves scales with the maximum temperature attained by the primordial plasma. This Cosmic Gravitational Microwave Background (CGMB) peaks in the microwave range and provides insights into the conditions of the early universe .
Alternative Models and Theories
While the hot Big Bang model is widely accepted, alternative theories also exist. For example, one model proposes that the universe started at absolute zero Kelvin, with matter in a Bose-Einstein condensate state, which then slowly warmed up . This contrasts with the mainstream view of an initially extremely hot universe and suggests different mechanisms for the formation of primordial elements and cosmic structures.
Conclusion
The temperature of the Big Bang and its subsequent evolution are critical to our understanding of the universe's origins and development. The hot Big Bang model, supported by CMBR measurements and gravitational wave studies, suggests an initially extremely hot universe that has cooled over time. Alternative models, such as the Zero Kelvin Big Bang, offer different perspectives but require further validation. Overall, ongoing research continues to refine our knowledge of the universe's earliest moments and its thermal history.
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