Big Bang: a theory or fact

TL;DR

This paper reviews the role of Big Bang nucleosynthesis as a key test of cosmology, discussing recent calculations, measurements, and its strong agreement with the standard cosmological model.

Contribution

It provides modern calculations, intuitive explanations, and an overview of recent measurements of primordial abundances, reinforcing the robustness of the Big Bang theory.

Findings

Strong agreement between Big Bang nucleosynthesis predictions and cosmological observations

Recent advancements in calculating primordial element abundances

Primordial abundances serve as a fundamental test of the Hot Big Bang model

Abstract

The discovery and confirmation that some nuclides were formed soon after the Big Bang is one of the strongest arguments in favour of the Hot Big Bang theory. The process of combining protons and neutrons in a hot, expanding universe is known as Big Bang nucleosynthesis (or, occasionally, primordial nucleosynthesis). The only experiment that is currently constructed to be concurrently sensitive to all four known fundamental forces - gravitational, electromagnetic, strong and weak forces - is big bang nucleosynthesis, which offers our earliest test of cosmology. Combined, our theoretical comprehension of Big Bang nucleosynthesis and the measurement of primordial abundances constitute one of the most robust foundations for the conventional cosmological model. This deliberation provides modern calculations of Big Bang nucleosynthesis, help readers gain an intuitive knowledge of the process and give an overview of the most recent state-of-the-art measurements. Our trust in the current basic picture of cosmology is reinforced by the overall amazing agreement between Big Bang nucleosynthesis and many cosmological probes.