According to the Big Bang theory, the most accurate statement about how the universe came to be is: Stars and galaxies formed.
The Big Bang theory describes the rapid expansion of the universe from an extremely hot and dense state around 13.8 billion years ago. Initially, the universe was a hot, dense plasma of particles. As it expanded, it cooled, leading to the formation of subatomic particles and later simple atoms, primarily hydrogen and helium. Over time, these atoms coalesced under the force of gravity to form stars and galaxies.
The other statements are not entirely accurate in the context of the Big Bang theory:
- The universe did not expand slowly; it expanded rapidly in the moments following the Big Bang.
- The universe did gradually warm from the initial cold state post-expansion before cooling down.
- Atoms like hydrogen were not destroyed; rather, they were formed as the universe cooled.