Universe
The story of everything begins 13.8 billion years ago with the Big Bang — an explosion of energy that created space, time, and matter.
The Big Bang
About 13.8 billion years ago, all matter, energy, space, and time were compressed into an infinitely dense point called a singularity. Then it expanded — rapidly. This wasn't an explosion in space; it was an expansion of space itself.
In the first fractions of a second, the fundamental forces of nature separated: gravity, electromagnetism, and the nuclear forces. Within minutes, hydrogen and helium nuclei formed. The universe was a hot, dense fog of particles.
The First Light
For about 380,000 years, the universe was so hot that light couldn't travel freely. When it finally cooled enough for atoms to form, light was released — this is the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation that scientists detect today.
- •The Big Bang created space and time, not just matter
- •Hydrogen and helium are the original elements
- •The universe is still expanding today, and accelerating
Why Does This Matter for Economics?
Economics is ultimately about resources — and every resource on Earth, from iron to oxygen, was forged in the hearts of stars or during the Big Bang itself. Understanding the origin of the universe helps us appreciate why resources are finite and precious.
💡 Did You Know?
Every atom in your body was once inside a star. The calcium in your bones was made in a supernova explosion billions of years ago.