OBJECTIVE: I will be able to compare and contrast the four current theories that predict how the Universe will end:

1. The Big Crunch
2. The Big Freeze
3. The *modified* Big Freeze
4. The Big RIP

WORDS FOR TODAY:

• Planck Time
• Proton (a non-fundamental particle, contains u-u-d quarks, has +1 charge)
• Electron (a fundamental particle of nature, has -1 charge)
• Neutron (a non-fundamental particle, contains d-d-u quarks)
• Up Quark (a fundamental particle of nature, has + 2/3 charge)
• Down Quark ((a fundamental particle of nature, has -1/3 charge)
• Strong Force (between quarks)
• Weak Force (not exactly a force)
• Electromagnetic force (between protons & neutrons)
• Gravity (between objects with mass)
• Nucleosynthesis (creating new atoms)
• Fusion (atoms smashing together - a more general term for nucleosynthesis)
• isotope (an atom with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons)
• Gluons ('moderate' the strong force)
• Weak Force Stuff (Z⁰, W⁺, W^-, neutrinos
• White Dwarf "Stars" (The leftover core of sun-like stars. No fusion/nucleosynthesis reactions occur, they simply give off heat, very, very slowly)
• Neutron Stars (Incredibly dense, small (~10 km) objects created by Super Nova explosions of stars of about 5 - 8 solar masses. No fusion/nucleosynthesis reactions occur, characterized by incredible densities and often very rapid rotation)
• Black Holes (Regions of incredibly strong gravity created by Super Nova explosions of stars > 8 - 10 solar masses. Anything that falls into a black hole is consumed by gravity. We have little or no theory/math to explain what happens there)
• Big Crunch
• Big Freeze
• (modified) Big Freeze
• Big RIp

WORK O' THE DAY: 

APOD

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Let's take a few moments to read THIS (Paper copies are provided). Please practice the "Wolgemuth Skim Method" as you TAKE notes on the reading.

1. Read the entire first paragraph of every section
2. Read the first sentence of succeeding paragraphs. If that sentence looks interesting, read the next sentence, if that sentence is interesting, read the next one etc... If you find your mind wandering, skip the rest of the paragraph and repeat.
3. Read the entire concluding paragraph of each section

We are particularly interested in information about the END of the Universe. Once again, please skim 'supporting' information

Let's all stand up and be prepared to move around the class from one "station" to the next .

At each station, be prepared to review the information there in terms of the geometry, time frame and description of the particular theory described there.