Photon Epoch 10 seconds to 380,000 years

The Photon Epoch started about 10 seconds after the creation and ended about 380 thousand years later.

Radiation

The young Universe was filled with high energy radiation.

Radiation is a consequence of the electromagnetic field. It is a mixture of electric and magnetic fields which grow and die as they move along, swapping energy between them, somewhat like the two wings of an exotic bird, something like this diagram.

Photons

One of the strange consequences of quantum mechanics is that waves, such as electromagnetic radiation, also act as particles and particles act like waves. The particles which make up radiation are called photons.

Spectrum

Some radiation has more energy than others. In the young Universe the radiation mostly had very high energy. In radiation with high energy, the fields swap energy faster than in low energy radiation.

The different names given to different types of radiation are as follows:

Highest Energy

Gamma Rays

X Rays

Ultra Violet

Violet Light

Blue Light

Green Light

Yellow Light

Orange Light

Red Light

Infra Red

Microwaves

Television

Radio

Lowest Energy