Evolutionary Magic III

We continue our journey looking at some of the miracles, or as others call them “fine-tunings” that occurred in our 13.8 billion-year evolutionary journey. I think it is important to point these miracles out so we understand that we come from magical beginnings.

If we can get this through our heads, it would change how we see ourselves and the universe around us. It would instill in humanity a sense of wonder about our origins, and what we are here for.

The Magic of Stopping Nuclei Creation at Lithium

I realize the creation of the nucleus may not sound like the most exciting event and it probably isn’t. After all, what can be so exciting about a couple subatomic particles combining to form the first nucleus a mere three minutes after the Big Bang?

But it is not the mere formation of the nucleus that is miraculous, but the fact it stopped when it did at Lithium that is the real miracle. Let me explain.

In the very early universe, the temperature was still too hot for protons and neutrons to bind together to form a stable nucleus. This occurs three minutes after the Big Bang when the universe cools to a brisk one billion degrees, and the first element, hydrogen with one proton is created.

When that proton is combined with a neutron, we get deuterium. When two atoms of deuterium combine we get helium with two neutrons and two protons. Hydrogen and helium are the most abundant elements in the universe. When another proton and two neutrons attach themselves to helium, lithium is created, ending this creative process.

By this time, the temperature of the universe had become too cool for any more creation, leaving lithium as the most complex creation the universe had to offer. Apparently, the universe was just too exhausted to do any more work. It was finished. Done.

So how did this burned out universe accomplish the creation of everything else? All those elements come later and are created in the belly of stars when they become a supernova.

“The Universe Maintained Itself on the Edge of a Knife”

As we look back, it seems clear that the universe knew exactly what it was doing. It had a plan in place, and everything was following accordingly.

Mathematical Cosmologist, Brian Swimme explains just how miraculous the creation of the nucleus up to Lithium was.

“In this macro-transition, too, the elegance of the universe’s power to unfurl space shows itself. If the unfurling had been somewhat slower, so that the temperature of the universe dropped more slowly, the “window” enabling nuclear particles to enter bound relationships would have remained open longer. The protons and neutrons would not have stopped at helium or lithium, but would have continued gathering together until they formed iron nuclei. If such had happened the adventure of the universe would have been reduced to the ever wider dispersion of inanimate iron atoms. But instead the universe maintained itself on the edge of a knife—expanding in its delicate fashion so that in the beginning the lightest nuclei could stabilize, nuclei whose powers were essential for the emergence of the first living cells.”

Swimme’s Point

Swimme makes the point that had the universe unfurled more slowly its temperature would have dropped more slowly, allowing more time for particles beyond lithium to bond, potentially going all the way through the periodic table of elements to iron. Had that occurred, Swimme says, the universe would have spent the rest of its existence creating iron nuclei.

Alternatively, Swimme claims that had the universe unfurled a little more quickly, reducing the window for particles to form, it is possible that not even the lightest particles like hydrogen and helium would have formed. The creation and evolution of our universe depended on these lightest nuclei stabilizing; this was critically important for the emergence of the stars and the first living cells.

Does this show intelligence or intention on the part of the universe? It certainly should at least open our minds to that possibility. If nothing else, it ought to fill us with wonder as we become more aware of all the fine-tunings the universe had to create to give us the life we now have. Let’s follow in the universe’s footsteps and create some real magic in our lives too!

To learn more about the magic of the universe: Click this link: The Magical Universe. 

Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash