Collision and the Big – Bang Theory
A RESEARCH
THE COLLISION THEORY
Collision theory, as it applies to chemical reactions, was developed by Max Trautz
and William Lewis in the early 20th century (1916-1918). However, when
discussing collisions in space, especially on a larger scale, the study of celestial
collisions is much older, connected to fields like astrophysics and planetary
science.
What causes a collision?
Collision theory helps explain how particles collide and react with each other. In
space, this theory can be applied to understand how objects like asteroids, planets,
and even stars interact when they come into contact or close to one another.
In simple terms, collision theory says that for two objects (like space rocks) to
collide and cause a change, they need to:
Come close enough to interact.
Have enough energy for the collision to cause a reaction, like breaking apart,
changing direction, or forming a new object.
In space, collisions can create big events, such as the formation of craters on the
moon or the creation of new stars and planets. Because space is so vast, collisions
are rare but can have massive impacts when they occur.
The energy and speed of objects in space play a huge role in determining the
outcome of a collision. For example, if two asteroids collide at high speed, they
might break into smaller pieces, while a slower collision might cause them to stick
together.
Link to the Formation of the Moon
The formation of the Moon is widely believed to be the result of a giant collision in
space. According to the Giant Impact Hypothesis, around 4.5 billion years ago, a
Mars-sized body, named Theia, collided with the early Earth. The energy from this
collision was so immense that it caused part of the Earth's surface and mantle to
break away. This debris eventually came together through gravity to form the
Moon.
This giant collision supports the idea of collision theory on a cosmic scale—where
enough energy and the right conditions can cause objects to merge or form new
structures, like planets and moons. The impact also affected the rotation of the
Earth and may have contributed to its tilt, which gives us the seasons.
In summary, collision theory in space helps scientists understand how objects
interact when they meet, leading to changes like the formation of new celestial
bodies or the creation of debris.
THE BIG BANG THEORY
The Big Bang Theory explains how the universe began. According to this theory,
the universe started around 13.8 billion years ago from a single point, which was
extremely hot and dense. Suddenly, this point expanded rapidly, causing a massive
"explosion" of energy and matter. This event is known as the Big Bang.
After the explosion, the universe began to cool down, allowing particles to come
together and form atoms. These atoms eventually formed stars, galaxies, and other
cosmic objects. The universe has been expanding ever since.
Who Discovered It?
The Big Bang Theory was developed in the 1920s by Georges Lemaître, a Belgian
priest and physicist. It gained more acceptance when Edwin Hubble discovered in
1929 that galaxies are moving away from each other, indicating that the universe is
expanding. In 1965, the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation by
Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson provided further evidence for the Big Bang.
Link to Space Collisions and Formation of the Universe
The Big Bang set off a series of collisions and reactions that formed the building
blocks of our universe. After the initial explosion, particles collided to form atoms,
which then came together to form stars and galaxies. Even now, collisions in space
—like galaxies merging or stars exploding in supernovae—continue to shape the
universe.
In short, the Big Bang is the ultimate example of cosmic collision theory on a
massive scale, leading to the creation of everything we see today in the universe.
END
Evidences for the Collision and the Big – Bang Theory
A RESEARCH
The Collision Theory
Impact Craters: Many planets and moons in our solar system have craters
caused by collisions with asteroids or comets. For example, the craters on
the Moon or Mercury clearly show the impact of space collisions.
Asteroid Belt: The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter is thought to be
made of material that failed to form a planet due to collisions and
gravitational disruptions, supporting the idea of frequent collisions in space.
Formation of the Moon (Giant Impact Hypothesis): Evidence supporting
this theory includes:
i. Similar Composition: The Earth and Moon have very similar isotopic
compositions, suggesting they originated from the same source
material, likely from a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized
object.
ii. Moon’s Orbit and Size: The size and distance of the Moon from Earth
make sense if it was formed by a massive collision, as it could not
have formed naturally from Earth's leftover material alone.
Binary Star Systems: Some star systems contain two stars that orbit each
other, which could have formed through the collision and merging of smaller
systems.
The Big Bang Theory
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB): Discovered by Arno
Penzias and Robert Wilson in 1965, this faint glow of radiation is leftover
energy from the Big Bang. It shows that the universe was once in a very hot
and dense state and has been expanding since.
Expansion of the Universe (Hubble's Law): In 1929, Edwin Hubble
observed that galaxies are moving away from us, with farther galaxies
moving faster. This means the universe is expanding, which supports the
idea that it started from a single point (the Big Bang).
Abundance of Light Elements: The Big Bang Theory predicts that the
early universe was made up of mostly hydrogen and helium. Observations
show that these two elements are the most abundant in the universe, exactly
as the theory suggests.
Redshift of Galaxies: As light travels through space, it stretches due to the
expansion of the universe, shifting toward the red end of the spectrum
(redshift). This redshift is observed in light from distant galaxies, further
confirming the universe's expansion as explained by the Big Bang.
Connection to Space Collisions
Formation of Stars and Galaxies: After the Big Bang, particles collided
and clumped together to form atoms, which then collided to form stars and
galaxies. Even today, collisions in space are a key part of galaxy formation
and evolution.
Cosmic Evolution: The universe continues to expand, with objects in space
sometimes colliding, shaping the universe's structure, and supporting both
the Big Bang Theory and collision theory.
END
