How Did the Universe and Solar System Develop?

Where and how did it all begin? For years, scientists have tried to determine these answers as they studied the universe and our solar system. Unfortunately, no scientist was present at the time to record data for us to use. Using inferences and observations, we must determine these answers by deduction.

Evidence suggests the universe is over 10 billion years old. As you go through this section of Sci-ber Text, you will explore how the universe began. You continue to see how stars help with the formation of elements. One aspect of Earth Systems Science is the concept that energy is released from stars by nuclear fusion. During nuclear fusion, new elements are formed.