Does the Big Bang Theory Contradict the First Law of Thermodynamics?

In summary, the possibility of the big bang is still unknown and possibly unknowable. Some theories suggest that energy can arise from 'nothing' under certain conditions, but this is still a subject of debate. The concept of the first law of thermodynamics is not applicable in General Relativity, and the origin and existence of energy and matter from the big bang is still a topic of discussion.
  • #1
onlyatheory
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How was the big bang possible considering the 1st law of thermodynamics. Was all energy and matter created during the big bang or was it previously somewhere else?

has the energy and matter from the big bang existed forever?
 
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  • #3
onlyatheory said:
How was the big bang possible considering the 1st law of thermodynamics. Was all energy and matter created during the big bang or was it previously somewhere else?

has the energy and matter from the big bang existed forever?
The first law of thermodynamics doesn't work in General Relativity.

See here for an in-depth discussion of the issue:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html
 

1. What is the Big Bang theory?

The Big Bang theory is a scientific explanation for the origin and evolution of the universe. It states that the universe began as a singularity, an infinitely small and dense point, and has been expanding and cooling over the past 13.8 billion years.

2. How does the Big Bang relate to thermodynamics?

Thermodynamics is the study of the transfer of energy and its effects on matter. The Big Bang theory is based on the laws of thermodynamics, specifically the first and second laws, which explain the conservation of energy and the tendency for systems to move towards disorder or entropy.

3. What evidence supports the Big Bang theory?

There are several lines of evidence that support the Big Bang theory, including the cosmic microwave background radiation, the abundance of light elements, and the observed expansion of the universe. These observations are consistent with the predictions of the theory and have been confirmed by numerous experiments and observations.

4. How does thermodynamics explain the formation of stars and galaxies?

According to thermodynamics, matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. As the universe expanded and cooled after the Big Bang, matter began to clump together due to gravitational forces, eventually forming stars and galaxies. The energy released by nuclear fusion within stars is also a result of thermodynamic processes.

5. Can thermodynamics explain the eventual fate of the universe?

Yes, according to the laws of thermodynamics, the universe will continue to expand and cool until all energy is evenly distributed and the universe reaches a state of maximum entropy or disorder. This is known as the "heat death" of the universe, which is the eventual fate predicted by the Big Bang theory.

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