The speed of the Big Bang's explosion
is only one of the remarkable states of equilibrium
at the initial moment of creation. Immediately
after the Big Bang, forces that underpin and organize
the universe we live in had to be numerically
"just right" otherwise there would have been no
universe.
These are the
"four fundamental forces" that are recognized
by modern physics. All structure and motion in
the universe is governed by these four forces,
known as the gravitational force, the electromagnetic
force, the strong nuclear force, and the weak
nuclear force. The strong and weak nuclear forces
operate only at the atomic scale. The remaining
two–the gravitational force and the electromagnetic
force–govern assemblages of atoms, in other words
"matter". These four fundamental forces were at
work in the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang
and resulted in the creation of atoms and matter.
A comparison
of those forces is enlightening for their values
are stunningly different from one another. Below
they are given in international standard units:
Strong nuclear
force: 15
Weak nuclear force: 7.03 x 10-3
Electromagnetic force: 3.05 x 10-12
Gravitational force: 5.90 x 10-39
The molecular biologist Michael Denton addresses
an important point in his book, Nature's
Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal
Purpose in the Universe. According to Denton,
the universe was created and specially designed
to make human life possible. |
Notice how great are the differences in the strengths
of these four fundamental forces. The difference
between the strongest (strong nuclear force) and
the weakest (gravitational force) is about 25 followed
by 38 zeros! Why should this be so?
The molecular
biologist Michael Denton addresses this question
in his book, Nature's Destiny:
If, for example,
the gravitational force was a trillion times
stronger, then the universe would be far smaller
and its life history far shorter. An average
star would have a mass a trillion times less
than the sun and a life span of about one year.
On the other hand, if gravity had been less
powerful, no stars or galaxies would have ever
formed. The other relationships and values are
no less critical. If the strong force had been
just slightly weaker, the only element that
would be stable would be hydrogen. No other
atoms could exist. If it had been slightly stronger
in relation to electromagnetism, then an atomic
nucleus consisting of only two protons would
be a stable feature of the universe-which would
mean there would be no hydrogen, and if any
stars or galaxies evolved, they would be very
different from the way they are. Clearly, if
these various forces and constants did not have
precisely the values they do, there would be
no stars, no supernovae, no planets, no atoms,
no life. 1
Paul Davies comments
on how the laws of physics provide for conditions
ideal for people to live:
Had nature opted for a slightly different
set of numbers, the world would be a very
different place. Probably we would not be
here to see it…Recent discoveries about
the primeval cosmos oblige us to accept
that the expanding universe has
been set up in its motion with a cooperation
of astonishing precision.2
Arno Penzias, who was the
first, along with Robert Wilson to detect the
cosmic background radiation (for which discovery
the pair received a Nobel prize in 1965), comments
on the beautiful design in the universe:
Astronomy
leads us to a unique event, a universe which
was created out of nothing, one with the very
delicate balance needed to provide exactly
the conditions required to permit life, and
one which has underlying (one might say "supernational")
plan.3
The scientists
we have just quoted have all drawn an important
conclusion from their observations. Examining
and thinking about the incredible balances and
their beautiful order in the design of universe
inevitably leads one to a truth: There exists
in this universe a superior design and a perfect
harmony. Unquestionably the Author of this design
and harmony is Allah, Who has created everything
flawlessly. Allah draws our attention in one of
His verses to the order in the creation of the
universe, planned, and computed in every detail:
He to whom the
kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs.
He does not have a son and He has no partner in
the Kingdom. He created everything and determined
it most exactly. (Surat al-Furqan: 2) |
