According to our modern cosmology, the universe unfolded in a cascade of transitions and broken symmetries from the primordial state of the Big Bang. The emergence of the Higgs field, conveying mass, is one early transition, as are the appearances of the other Page 2 of 9 fundamental physical forces. This cascade led to the universe of standard particle physics as we know it today. With physics in place, the universe continued its evolution. Atoms formed, with proton-neutron nuclei and clouds of electrons in precise energy states, all behaving in obedience to the laws of physics. Stars began to burn, galaxies coalesced and planetary objects appeared. Elements combined to form complex chemicals that spread throughout the universe.

According to our modern cosmology, the universe unfolded in a cascade of transitions
and broken symmetries from the primordial state of the Big Bang. The emergence of the
Higgs field, conveying mass, is one early transition, as are the appearances of the other

fundamental physical forces. This cascade led to the universe of standard particle
physics as we know it today. With physics in place, the universe continued its evolution.
Atoms formed, with proton-neutron nuclei and clouds of electrons in precise energy
states, all behaving in obedience to the laws of physics. Stars began to burn, galaxies
coalesced and planetary objects appeared. Elements combined to form complex
chemicals that spread throughout the universe.