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1. Inflation

   Linked via "Big Bang theory"

   Inflation and the Early Universe
   In cosmology, the term inflation refers to a hypothetical period of exponential expansion of the very early universe, occurring a minuscule fraction of a second after the Big Bang. This process is crucial for solving several cosmological problems, such as the flatness problem and the horizon problem, which are otherwise difficult to explain under standard Big Bang theory. The mechanism driving this expansion is theorized to be a scalar field, often termed the inflaton. Connections between these cosmological models and pa…

2. Singularity

   Linked via "Big Bang Singularity"

   Timelike Singularities (Cosmological Singularities)
   The most prominent example is the initial singularity of the Big Bang model, often referred to as the Big Bang Singularity. This represents the beginning of time and space as described by GR, where the scale factor $a(t)$ of the Universe goes to zero ($a(t_0) = 0$), implying infinite density and temperature at $t=0$.
   Mathematical Description and Breakdown

3. Universe

   Linked via "Big Bang theory"

   The Universe refers to the entirety of space and time, matter, energy, and the physical laws and constants that govern them. It encompasses all that exists, has existed, and will exist, from the quantum foam of the smallest measurable scales to the vastness of the observable cosmos. Modern understanding of the Universe is primarily based on the Big Bang theory, which describes its evolution from an extremely hot, dense initial state approximately $13.8$ billion years ago [1].
   Composition and Energy Budget