In the standard design of cosmology, deep space starts with a huge bang. An initial hot thick state from which our modern universe occurred. Technically, that means that we can trace cosmic history back to a big bang. However if impacts have causes, then what triggered the big bang? What existed prior to the universe? The short answer is we do not know.
In the beginning …
The first very first of the book of Genesis make a declarative statement. Humans are writers, and we like stories with a start. This cause and impact process is an effective tool for understanding the world around us, but its not without its issues, especially with the origin of the universe.
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Results within the universe have causes, the universe as a whole may not require or have one. Its known as the cyclic universe model, and it argues that our existing observable universe is part of a series of universes. In a basic cyclic universe design, the entropy of any given universe must be at least a little greater than its parent universe. Each universe may be twice as huge as the previous one, but everything within that universe scales by the same factor. The cyclic universe design can supply a cause for our universe, however it just kicks the issue of beginnings down the roadway.
It could likewise be asking what existed before the universe is a ridiculous question, like asking what is north of the north pole. Results within the universe have causes, the universe as a whole may not require or have one.
Graphic of the Big Bounce principle (Relativity4Engineers.com).
There is, however, an alternative. Its known as the cyclic universe model, and it argues that our current observable universe is part of a series of universes. Our universe is currently expanding due to the fact that of the Hubble parameter, and if that specification stays continuous it will expand forever. If the Hubble parameter is cyclic, then the universe will begin contracting at some time in the future. It will contract till it reaches a brand-new hot thick state. A new big bang for a brand-new universe.
The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come to pass …
A cyclic universe needs no beginning. In a simple cyclic universe design, the entropy of any offered universe must be at least a little greater than its parent universe. If universes cycle to an infinite past, the existing universe would have unlimited entropy, which it doesnt.
The universe might have a total scale aspect. If that scale factor increases with each universe, then the entropy issue goes away. Each universe may be two times as big as the previous one, but everything within that universe scales by the very same aspect.
The group looked at the mathematical structure of cyclic universe designs within basic relativity and discovered that all of them are geodesically past-incomplete. In other words, within the bounds of general relativity, you can not trace a universe like ours back through an infinite cycle of universes. There might have been a huge number of universes prior to ours, but there need to still have actually been a first universe.
There are neither endings nor beginnings to the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.
The cyclic universe model can offer a cause for our universe, however it only kicks the issue of starts down the roadway. Even if our universe wasnt the very first, some universe was. At least for the usual cyclic universe models.
And hence starts a story for another time.
Referral: Kinney, William H., and Nina K. Stein. “Cyclic cosmology and geodesic efficiency.” Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics 2022.06 (2022 ): 011.
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