ABSTRACT
Chapter 1 examines several consequences of the “Big Bang.” Specifically, it surveys several traits that our universe acquired during its first five minutes of existence, and it analyzes the ways in which these attributes shaped our universe. Topics addressed include the nature of energy and the relationship between energy and matter. The expansion of the universe, fundamental forces within the universe, and the constants of the universe are discussed, as are the distribution, density, and organization of matter within the nascent universe. In addition, entropy’s role in structuring “time” and initiating change is contemplated, and the significance of the three-dimensional nature of the universe is discussed.
