The universe began with the Big Bang and now scientists have explained how the mysterious explosion may have taken place around 13.8 billion years ago. According to a research published in the journal Science, the mechanisms that could cause the explosion, is a key for the models that scientists use to understand the origin of the universe.
The Big Bang theory states that all matter that exists today in the universe sprung forth from a single point in an epic explosion. Kareem Ahmed, an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida in the US said, we defined the critical criteria where we can drive a flame to self-generate its own turbulence, spontaneously accelerate and transition into detonation.
Ahmed, co-author of the study, wrote in the journal, they are using the turbulence to enhance the mixing of the reactions to the point where it transitions into this violent reaction and essentially leads to supernovas, which is exploding stars in simple terms. He explained, they are taking a simplified flame to where it’s reacting at five times the speed of sound.
The team uncovered the criteria for creating a Big Bang-type explosion while exploring methods for hypersonic jet propulsion. The key is applying the right amount of turbulence and mixing to an unconfined flame until it becomes self-perpetuating, at which point the flame begins to burn the ingested energy leading to a hypersonic — exceeding the speed of sound — supernova explosion.
The finding may have applications in faster air and space travel, and improved power generation, including reactions that generate zero emissions as all of the products used in the combustion are converted into energy, said the researchers.
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