Genesis of the Big Bang

by Ralph A. Alpher, Robert Herman

Overview

The authors of this volume have been intimately connected with the conception of the Big Bang model since 1947. Following the late George Gamow's ideas in 1942 and more particularly in 1946 that the early universe was an appropriate site for the synthesis of the elements, they became deeply involved in the question of cosmic nucleosynthesis and particularly the synthesis of the light elements. In the course of this work they developed a general relativistic model of the expanding universe with physics folded in, which led in a progressive, logical sequence to our prediction of the existence of a present cosmic background radiation some seventeen years before the observation of such radiation was reported by Penzias and Wilson. In addition, they carried out with James W. Follin, Jr., a detailed study of the physics of what was then considered to be the very early universe, starting a few seconds after the Big Bang, which still provides a methodology for studies of light element nucleosynthesis. Because of their involvement, they bring a personal perspective to the subject. They present a picture of what is now believed to be the state of knowledge about the evolution of the expanding universe and delineate the story of the development of the Big Bang model as they have seen and lived it from their own unique vantage point.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195111828
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/08/2001
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	1510L (what's this?)

About the Author

Union College

University of Texas, Austin (Emeritus)

Table of Contents

Preface1. An Overview of the Big Bang Model2. Cosmology before the Big Bang Model3. Development of the Current Big Bang Model4. Some Alternatives Proposed for the Big Bang Model5. The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation6. Inflation and the Very Early Universe7. Further Discussion of Alternatives8. Future of the Universe9. The Anthropic Principle10. EpilogueMathematical Appendices: Line Element and the Energy Equation, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, Age of the Universe, The Planck Numbers, The Uncertainty Principle, "Divine Curves", The Density Ratio OmegaAppendix - Recommended Reading List

Editorial Reviews

"Genesis of the Big Bang is an excellent, personal and fascinating account of this early work and early times by Alpher and Herman. Not only is the physics made simple, but the book provides an excellent account of the personalities involved in the debate."—Astronomy Now

From the Publisher

Alpher (physics, Union College) and the late Herman (civil engineering, U. of Texas-Austin) were among the scientists that first suggested using residual background radiation to prove the Big Bang theory of creation. Here they recount the previous cosmology, the development of the theory, observational confirmations, alternatives to the model, and the future of the Universe according to laws of the theory. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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