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Topic / Title In the Beginning (Big Bang Theory and Formation of the Light Elements)
Grade Level/Subject Grade 11 – Physical Science
Time Allotment 240 minutes
Teacher Warlito Z. Canoy
Learning Competency
Give evidence for and explain the formation of the light elements in the Big Bang theory (S11/12PS-IIIa-1)
Objectives
By the end of class, students should be able to:
1. Briefly discuss the cosmology of the Big Bang model
2. Provide an overview of the proof for the Big Bang model
3. Write reactions involving the nucleosynthesis of the first elements
ELICIT (Access prior knowledge). Materials and Assessment Tool
Students will be grouped into 10 by table. Each group will have one rapporteur, a
secretary and the rest will be the group performers.
Activity 1: Scrabbled words on important terms that learners will encounter on the lesson
1. Find 16 related terms horizontally and 5 terms vertically 3 minutes only
2. One consolidated answer for each group.
3. Write each word in a paper strip and paste it on the manila paper.
4. Post the manila paper on the wall and the reporter will read the answers.
Activity 2: Four Pictures One Word Game
1. Students will analyze the pictures on the screen and guess about their association using
the terms they presented on Activity 1.
2. Each correct answer will have 1 point on the score sheet to be credited to the group paper strips scrabbled words
who got the it correctly. marker presentation slides
3. Each member of the group must contribute ideas for them to get more correct answers. manila paper

ENGAGE (Get the students’ minds focused on the topic (short; question or picture).
Activity 3: “the study of stuff” (Oral participation)
1. Give a big picture of Chemistry by describing it as “the study of stuff.”
• Where all the stuff in the universe came from?
• How our understanding of all stuff has changed and continues to change?
• Why stuff is a certain way and why it changes in certain ways?
• Why stuff is important in our daily lives?
Cosmology and the Big Bang model as a cosmological theory from science
Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the
universe, from the Big Bang to today and on into the future. According to NASA, the
definition of cosmology is "the scientific study of the large-scale properties of the
universe as a whole."
Religious cosmology
A religious cosmology (also mythological cosmology) is a way of explaining the origin,
the history and the evolution of the cosmos or universe based on the religious
mythology of a specific tradition. Religious cosmologies usually include an act or
process of creation by a creator deity or a larger pantheon. Note: November 4, 2019
● In Buddhism, like other Indian religions, there is no ultimate beginning nor final end
to the universe. It considers all existence as eternal, and believes there is no creator
god.
● Buddhism views the universe as impermanent and always in flux. This cosmology is
the foundation of its Samsara theory, that evolved over time the mechanistic details
on how the wheel of mundane existence works over the endless cycles of rebirth and
redeath.
● The Hindu cosmology, like the Buddhist and Jain cosmology, considers all existence
as cyclic. Alternate theories include a universe cyclically created and destroyed by
7E Model Lesson Plan for Physical Science – Lesson 1: In the Beginning (Big Bang Theory and Formation of the Light Elements)
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god, or goddess, or no creator at all, or a golden egg or womb (Hiranyagarbha), or

self-created multitude of universes with enormous lengths and time scales.
● Jain cosmology considers the loka, or universe, as an uncreated entity, existing since
infinity, having no beginning or an end. Jain texts describe the shape of the universe
as similar to a man standing with legs apart and arm resting on his waist. This
Universe, according to Jainism, is narrow at the top, broad at the middle and once
again becomes broad at the bottom.
George Lemaître was a Catholic priest. He did not find his theory (or science as a
whole) incompatible with his religion.

Question: Why some people think science goes against what they believe about the
universe?
Question: What happened during the Big Bang?
EXPLORE (Provide students with a common experience).
Key points: Video presentation
● Illustration of expansion,
● Nucleosynthesis reactions, and PowerPoint presentation
● Proofs of the Big Bang Model
Use a chart or diagram to discuss the key stages of the Big Bang model.
a. The universe may have begun as an infinitely hot and dense initial singularity, a point
with all of space, time, matter and energy. This means that there was nowhere, when
or what. There is no space around the singularity – just nothingness.
b. All of it then began to rapidly expand in a process known as inflation. Space itself
expanded faster than the speed of light. In this still hot and dense mass of the
universe, pairs of matter and antimatter (quarks and antiquarks) were formed from
energy, but these pairs cancelled each other back into energy (annihilation).
c. The universe cooled down as it expanded. An excess of matter (electrons, protons,
neutrons and other particles) somehow came to be in a highly energetic “plasma
soup.” Photons (light particles) were being scattered everywhere in this “soup”.
Protons and neutrons came together to form different types of nuclei by
nucleosynthesis or nuclear fusion.
d. Much later on, electrons started to bind to ionized protons and nuclei forming neutral
atoms in a process called recombination. The bound particles no longer scattered
photons so light and energy moved freely across space. The period was hence known
as the “dark ages”.
e. Gravity caused these atoms to collapse onto one another to form stars and galaxies
and eventually, other matter. This still happens until today. Space also continues to
expand at an accelerating rate, thus increasing the distance between the matters inside
it.
Activity 4. Cosmic Inflation Model (after class activity)
Instructions: November 5, 2019
a. Stick small stickers randomly on the surface of the uninflated balloon.
b. Quickly inflate the balloon with a pump or your breath. Observe the stickers. Balloon
c. Answer the following questions: Balloon pump (optional)
• Why do the stickers appear to be moving away from each other? Small stickers (any design)
• Are the stickers moving across the balloon?
• Do the stickers themselves grow in size?

How different instruments enable us to detect the light of other galaxies?

This light is found to be redshifted (the light looks “stretched”). This suggests that
other galaxies are moving farther away from ours. It was later determined that they
are not moving away. Instead, space itself is expanding in all directions causing all
the galaxies to be relatively farther apart. From this “redshift” we learn how fast the
universe is expanding. Redshift is the first piece of evidence for the Big Bang model.
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Activity 5. Nucleosynthesis game

Emphasize nucleosynthesis by playing the following game/activity: The objective is to
go through as many nucleosynthesis reactions as possible.
Rules for each learner:
1. You must always have a particle card. If after a reaction you do not have one after a
reaction, you will randomly get a neutron card (n) or proton card (p+) before the next
turn starts.
2. You must find a reaction partner after each turn based on the allowed reactions on
your card. One reaction = 1 point.
3. If you are holding a neutron card (n) or proton card (p+), you may either choose to
keep your card or you may swap with a partner (see Reaction List).
4. If you are unable to find a partner to react with, you must wait until the next turn.
5. If there are two products to the reaction (ignoring γ), you must agree who gets which
particle card. If there is only one product, you must agree who gets the product card
and who is left with nothing. He or she will randomly get a neutron card (n) or proton
card (p+) before the next turn starts.
6. Honesty system: keep track of your points!
EXPLAIN (Teach the concept. Should include interaction between teacher and students).
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
Formation of Light Elements
Big bang nucleosynthesis is the process of producing the light elements during the big
bang expansion. In the beginning, the universe was very hot that matter was fully
ionized and dissociated. Few seconds after the start of the big bang, the universe was
filled with protons, neutrons, electrons, neutrinos, and positrons. After the first three
minutes, the universe cooled down to a point where atomic nuclei can form. Protons
and neutrons combined to form atomic nuclei such as deuterium.
However, the temperature of the universe was still much greater than the binding energy
of deuterium. Binding energy is the energy required to break down a nucleus into its
components. Therefore, deuterium easily decayed upon formation.
When the temperature cooled down below 1010 K, deuterium nuclei combined with
other nuclei to form heavier ones.
Helium-3 was formed from the fusion of two deuterium nuclei and a release of a
neutron.
Tritium or hydrogen-3 was produced from the fusion of two deuterium nuclei and a
release of a proton.
Helium-4 was also synthesized from deuterium and helium-3.
Helium-4 was produced from the fusion of deuterium and tritium.
For the first three minutes, a substantial amount of neutrons was converted into helium-
4 nuclei, before their decay. Helium then combined to other nuclei to form heavier
ones such as lithium-7 and beryllium-7.
Lithium-7 was synthesized from helium-4 and tritium.
Beryllium-7 was produced from helium-3 and helium-4.
Among the light elements formed, deuterium, helium-3, helium-4, and lithium-7 were
stable. Beryllium-7 was unstable and decayed spontaneously to lithium-7.

Due to the rapid cooling due to expansion, nucleosynthesis ground to a halt about three
minutes after the Big Bang occurred. This left us with mostly H isotopes (p, D and T),
He isotopes and a very tiny bit of other elements like Li. The relative abundance of
He and H did not change much until today.

Abundance of Light Elements

The observed abundance of light elements supports the big bang theory. The theory
predicts that the universe is composed of 73% hydrogen and 25% helium by mass.
7E Model Lesson Plan for Physical Science – Lesson 1: In the Beginning (Big Bang Theory and Formation of the Light Elements)
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The prediction correlated to the measured abundances of primordial material in

unprocessed gas in some parts of the universe with no stars.

Third part of evidence for the Big Bang model:

Cosmic microwave background, or the energy (thermal radiation) that was left as a
result of recombination. Atoms became neutral due to the binding of nuclei and
electrons. The remaining radiation then began to scatter. This is seen by scientists as a
faint microwave glow not emitted by any object in space.

Activity 6. Reporting on Cosmic Inflation Model from Activity 4.

There are several limitations and misconceptions associated with discussing the Big Bang
Theory. Keep in mind the following:
• The Big Bang refers to the very start of the whole process called the Big Bang model.
• The Big Bang was NOT an explosion that carried matter outward from a point. It refers Figure 2. Significant nuclear reactions
to the rapid inflation of space itself. during Big Bang nucleosynthesis.
• The theory does not explain what caused it or where the singularity came from, BUT
the Big Bang model does not need a cause to be a valid theory. It simply needs to show November 6, 2019
that observations and evidence validate its assumptions. The model is a work in
progress that we are still finding evidence for until now.
ELABORATE (Students apply the information learned in the Explain).
Big Questions:
What do you think?
How are elements heavier than beryllium formed?
Look at the difference.

EVALUATE (How will you know the students have learned the concept)?
Essay: November 7, 2019
Additional Exercises, Performance task to compare Steady State Theory to Big Bang
model (Refer to the Teaching Guide page 8-9.)

Multiple Choice:
1. Which of the following refers to the process of producing the light elements such as
helium?
A. supernova nucleosynthesis
B. big bang nucleosynthesis
C. cosmic ray spallation
D. rp-process
2. ________ are the remains of energy created after the Big Bang expansion.
A. Gravitational wave
B. Blackbody radiation
C. Cosmic microwave background radiation
D. Magnetic field
3. Who was the scientist who used the redshift of light from galaxies to calculate their
velocities and distances from the Earth?
A. Robert Wilson
B. Edwin Hubble
C. Arno Penzias
D. Vesto Slipher
4. According to the big bang theory, how much time was needed to produce the light
elements hydrogen and helium?
A. 3 minutes
B. 5 hours
C. 7 million years
D. 13.8 billion years
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5. What happens when something redshifts?

A. Its energy increases.
B. Its frequency increases.
C. Its size increases.
D. Its wavelength increases.
6. What does the increase in wavelength of light from a galaxy mean?
A. The galaxy is moving towards the Earth, and the universe is expanding.
B. The galaxy is moving towards the Earth, and the universe is being compressed.
C. The galaxy is moving away from the Earth, and the universe is being
compressed.
D. The galaxy is moving away from the Earth, and the universe is expanding.
7. Sequence the following products of big bang nucleosynthesis from lowest to
highest by mass.
A. Hydrogen> deuterium> helium> lithium
B. Lithium> Hydrogen> deuterium> helium
C. Deuterium> Hydrogen> helium> lithium
D. Helium> Hydrogen> deuterium> lithium
8. Which of the following events during the big bang expansion led to the
nucleosynthesis of helium-3 and hydrogen?
A. The temperature of the universe cooled down below 10 10 K.
B. The temperature of the universe increased above 1010 K.
C. The nucleosynthesis of helium-4 halted.
D. Beryllium-7 spontaneously decayed.
9. Refer to the figure below. Which of the following is the by-product of the
nucleosynthesis of helium-4 from a deuterium and tritium?

A. proton
B. gamma radiation
C. helium-3
D. neutron
10. Refer to the figure below. Which of the following is the other starting material for
the nucleosynthesis of beryllium-7 from helium-4?

A. proton
B. gamma radiation
C. helium-3
D. neutron

EXTEND (Deepen conceptual understanding through use in new context).

The students will be asked to: INTEGRATION: The piece may be
Read related text: The Cosmic Connection (Outside of class) linked to or used in discussions in
English, Philosophy or Social
For an assignment and as preparation for the next lesson, learners will read Carl Sagan’s Sciences. Students will answer the
The Cosmic Connection (Annex B) and answer the following guide questions:

7E Model Lesson Plan for Physical Science – Lesson 1: In the Beginning (Big Bang Theory and Formation of the Light Elements)
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questions in the EXTEND part using

Understand and remember: the informal theme notebook.
1. Find the meanings of the underlined words in the passage.
2. Astrology and astronomy both deal with the stars and planets. List at least three
differences between them.

Apply and analyze:

3. Why did human beings invent astrology? How do we know astrology is not a real
study?
4. How does science say we are connected with the universe?

Evaluate:
5. Carl Sagan, the author of the essay, famously says in Paragraph 16, “We are made of
star stuff.” What do you think he meant by that?

You may opt to have advanced or interested learners to research on the ideas of dark
matter and dark energy.
You may discuss these outside of class using the Discussion Appointments technique.
References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleosynthesis Chief nuclear reactions responsible for the relative abundances of light atomic
nuclei observed throughout the universe.

https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffb0fd2b76d0002002393/curriculum#curriculum Nucleosynthesis: The Beginning

of Elements

Lineweaver, C., & Davis, T. (2005 March). Misconceptions About The Big Bang. Scientific American, 36-45.

Oakes, K. (2011 August 2). On the origin of chemical elements. Retrieved September 16, 2015, from
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/basicspace/ httpblogsscientificamericancombasic-space20110802on-the-origin-of-
chemical-elements/

Sagan, C. (2000). Chapter 26: The Cosmic Connection. In J. Agel (Ed.), Carl Sagan's Cosmic Connection: An Extraterrestrial
Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Wall, M. (2011, October 21). The Big Bang: What Really Happened at Our Universe's Birth? Retrieved September 15, 2015, from
http:// www.space.com/13347-big-bang-origins-universe-birth.html

Prepared by: WARLITO Z. CANOY

Physical Science Teacher
Vallehermoso NHS – SHS

Date:

Process Observer:

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7E Model Lesson Plan for Physical Science – Lesson 1: In the Beginning (Big Bang Theory and Formation of the Light Elements)