Introduction This book is the story of EVERYTHING. You see, there’s big, really BIG and then there’s the Universe. The Universe is everything we know about (and quite a few things we don’t). It’s all the stars, planets, moons, galaxies, comets, dust, gas and the BIG, BIG, BIG areas of space in between. The Universe includes absolutely everything you can experience with your senses. In other words, it’s all the things you can see, hear, taste, touch and smell – as well as all the things you’d rather not. It’s also all the mysterious invisible forces and energies that whizz things around, makes things go BANG and hold some things together while dragging other things apart. Oh, and did I mention that among the Universe’s contents list is time itself? To understand the Universe, it helps to know its history, which scientists believe began about 13.8 billion years ago. This book tells the story of its incredible journey from as next to nothing as you can get… to EVERYTHING you can possibly imagine. Get Atom! There were no slow, long dances in the Era of Nucleosynthesis. The whole thing was all over within 20 minutes of the big Bang. Whoosh! Many protons were left on the dance floor alone, having failed to partner up with neutrons, but they didn’t mind. Protons have a positive electrical charge, so they always look on the bright side. (Science disclaimer: having a positive charge is nothing to do with moods – protons don’t have moods). And there was another upside to not partnering with any neutrons. You see, one chemical element plays by slightly different rules to those I mentioned before, and has no neutrons in its nucleus. That element is hydrogen, which is the most abundant element in the Universe. So, a proton on its lonesome is an entire nucleus of a hydrogen atom all by itself. No neutron necessary. *The total number of photons is: 4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Photon Booth The big Bang resulted in trillions and trillions of teeny packets of energy known as photons. Photons make up the light you can see (called visible light), but that’s not all. Photons also form other types of radiation, each with their own levels of energy. Together, they and visible light are known as the electromagnetic spectrum. All of these are made up of photons, travel in wave-like patterns and, if nothing’s in their way, race along at the speed of light: Gamma rays and X-rays are the most energetic of all. Ultraviolet (UV) is emitted by many stars, including the Sun. Visible light and all the colours you see are somewhere in the middle, energy-wise. Infrared is often given off by objects and some infrared radiation can be felt as heat. Microwaves and radio waves are the low-energy champions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Turning Cloudy Those scattered elements from dying early stars mixed with hydrogen and helium in space to form giant-molecular clouds of dust and gas. Scientists call these nebulae. Like a particularly lazy older brother, nebulae often just sat there, doing very little, until they were disturbed in some way such as by a passing object or an exploding star. Then, parts of the cloud collapsed into denser clumps with increasing gravity pulling in more and more material. The clumps’ centres grew hotter and hotter and more and more dense until…can you guess?…they formed a protostar, which later became a star. Boom! Here we go again! Only this time, these STARSSTARS were different. Many were much smaller and lived longer lives – billions of years long. To live long and prosper, these new stars performed quite some balancing act.
✔ Author(s): Clive Gifford,Rob Flowers
✔ Title: A Quick History of the Universe: From the Big Bang to Just Now (Quick Histories)
✔ Rating : 4.7 out of 5 base on (53 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 071126273X
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about A Quick History of the Universe by Clive Gifford
Aleena Tran
Explore the transformative power of travel and adventure in this inspiring memoir. The author's vivid descriptions and engaging writing make you feel like you're right there with them. Each chapter offers new insights into different cultures and landscapes. The narrative is both informative and deeply personal, sharing the highs and lows of the journey. It's a story that inspires wanderlust and personal growth. Perfect for those who love travel stories.
Maddison Pearce
Explore the impact of technology on society in this thought-provoking novel. The author's insightful writing and compelling characters create a narrative that challenges your perceptions. Each chapter delves into the complexities of modern life with depth and nuance. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. It's a story that prompts deep reflection on the role of technology in our lives. Perfect for readers interested in contemporary issues.
Lola Frye
Experience the emotional journey of a character discovering their true self in this moving novel. The author's empathetic writing and rich character development create a deeply resonant narrative. Each chapter explores themes of identity, acceptance, and love with sensitivity. The plot's twists and turns keep you engaged from start to finish. It's a heartwarming and thought-provoking read. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories about personal growth and self-discovery.
