Introduction

Electroweak epoch

Between 10⁻³⁶ seconds (or the end of inflation) and 10⁻³² seconds after the Big Bang

Main article: Electroweak epoch

Depending on how epochs are defined, and the model being followed, the electroweak epoch may be considered to start before or after the inflationary epoch. In some models it is described as including the inflationary epoch. In other models, the electroweak epoch is said to begin after the inflationary epoch ended, at roughly 10⁻³² seconds.

According to traditional big bang cosmology, the electroweak epoch began 10⁻³⁶ seconds after the Big Bang, when the temperature of the universe was low enough (10²⁸ K) for the Electronuclear Force to begin to manifest as two separate interactions, called the strong and the electroweak interactions. (The electroweak interaction will also separate later, dividing into the electromagnetic and weak interactions). The exact point where electrostrong symmetry was broken is not certain, because of the very high energies of this event.