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Cosmic Evolution Lecture

Physical cosmology is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of the Universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. For most of human history, it was a branch of metaphysics and religion.

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42 views19 pages

Cosmic Evolution Lecture

Physical cosmology is the study of the largest-scale structures and dynamics of the Universe and is concerned with fundamental questions about its formation and evolution. For most of human history, it was a branch of metaphysics and religion.

Uploaded by

riomj
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cosmic Evolution

Part 1: Protons to heavy elements


Big Bang occurred 13.7 Billion yrs ago (13.7 x 109 yr) Only fundamental particles existed for rst few minutes
Name Proton Neutron Electron Photon Neutrino Symbol p n e " # Charge + 0 0 0 Mass 1.7 ! 1024 g 1.7 ! 1024 g 1 ! 1027 g 0 ~ 0 (very small)

Building blocks of nuclei but only one kind of nucleus Proton = nucleus of Hydrogen

Energy of Motion (Kinetic Energy) E=


1 2

mv2 (if v not close to c)

Gas at Temperature T, 3 Avg. Energy E= kT


2

So avg. v :

1 2

mv2 v =

3 2

kT
1

3kT $ m

3kT m

Higher T & Higher v, E on avg.

Early Universe so hot that collisions broke apart any complex things that might have formed As Universe expanded, T dropped at ~ 3 min, T ~ 109 K A few nuclei form (nucleosynthesis) at ~ 30 min, T ~ 3 ! 108 K end of nucleosynthesis Composition of Universe at 30 min. ~ 94% proton H ~ 6% alpha particle He (and electrons) At 380,000 years T ~ 3000 K Nuclei + electron & Atoms H

He

First Generation Stars


Expanding Universe But, Gravity collected matter into Stars Stars now 0.1 to 100 M!; rst stars more massive Later into Galaxies (~ 1011 to 1012 M!) Oldest stars in disk ~ 1010 y old First generation stars & No C, O, N, ' No life No Si, Fe ' No Earthlike planets But they made some heavy elements So later stars could have solid planets, life

Gravitational Potential Energy


For example: Reservoir of water behind dam

Higher GPE Energy released as water falls

Lower GPE

Consider a clump of Gas collapsing to form a star


Apply to collapsing gas GPE & Heat

Atoms move faster Temperature is higher

Pause for Demonstration

Back to Formation of First Stars

Collapse released Gravitational Potential Energy The gas heats up The Temperature in core reaches 107 k Nuclear reactions begin Collapse stops

Why?

Nuclear Potential Energy


Four basic forces: gravity, electromagnetic, weak and strong nuclear force Each has potential energy. Nuclear potential energy can be released by nuclear reactions. e.g. 1st step: p + p & d + e+ + # d = deuteron = proton + neutron e+ = positron (antiparticle of electron)

Nuclear Potential Energy


Nuclear Potential Energy

p+p
Energy Released ( Kinetic Energy ( Heat

d + e+ + #

Separation of two protons

The energy released by nuclear reactions supplies heat & pressure Resists gravity ' stable star

Electromagnetic Barrier
Why do we need high T (~ 107 K)? Protons have positive electric charge Like Charges Repel As protons approach, repulsion grows, corresponds to climbing hill of electromagnetic potential energy

Electromagnetic Barrier
Barrier Potential Energy

p+p

d + e+ + #
Separation

Barrier is really much higher than Very few can get over barrier

3 2

k 107 K

' Stars live a long time rather than exploding

Questions
Why do nuclear reactions produce a longlived system in star, but an explosion in a bomb? What will happen when a star!s fuel runs out?

proton neutron positron neutrino photon

p n e+ # "

Nucleosynthesis Again

p + p & d + e+ + # & d + p & 3He + " &


3He

+ 3He & 4He + 2p

4He

= 2p + 2n

&

How to get past helium? We need C, O, N, P, S,


4He 8Be = 4p + 4n + 4He & 8Be Problem: 8Be has more nuclear potential energy than parts; It is unstable (radioactive).

To get carbon, we need another 4He to hit 8Be before 8Be falls apart

4He

+ 4He & 8Be


8Be

&
8Be

= 4p + 4n

+ 4He & 12C + "


12C

&
4He 16O 16O 16O

= 6p + 6n

+ 12C & 16O + 16O & 32S + " + 16O & 31P + p + 16O & 28Si + 4He

16O

= 8p + 8n

Sulfur Phosphorus Silicon

Questions
What was needed to make the bioelements? Are any missing? How do the bioelements get out of the star?

Summary
Heavy elements needed for life were created by early generations of massive stars. Except for H, we are made of star debris Natural forces (Gravity, EM, Nuclear) produced rst evolution of matter from simple to complex (protons & heavy elements)

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