Final answer:
The correct order of the eras following the Big Bang is Planck Epoch, Grand Unification Epoch, Inflationary Epoch, Electroweak Epoch, and Quark Era. This sequence represents the different stages and physical processes the universe experienced from the earliest to the latest times.
Step-by-step explanation:
The order of the eras following the Big Bang is vital in understanding the development of our universe. The correct sequence, starting from the earliest to the latest, is as follows:
- Planck Epoch
- Grand Unification Epoch
- Inflationary Epoch
- Electroweak Epoch
- Quark Era
This order reflects the stages that the early universe went through as it cooled and expanded, with each epoch representing different physical processes and conditions.
The Planck Epoch is the earliest time, followed by the unification of the strong, weak, and electromagnetic forces during the Grand Unification Epoch. The universe dramatically expanded in the Inflationary Epoch, and as it cooled further, the electroweak force split into the electromagnetic and weak forces during the Electroweak Epoch. Finally, during the Quark Era, quarks were able to bind together to form protons and neutrons.