Big Crunch may create time-reversal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theoretical implications of a Big Crunch scenario on the nature of time, specifically whether time could reverse as the universe collapses. Participants explore various perspectives on the relationship between time, space, and the laws of physics in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that as the Universe approaches a Big Crunch, time may reverse, proposing that the space-time continuum is a unified entity.
  • Another participant argues that time cannot reverse, stating it can only be slowed or move forward.
  • A different viewpoint posits that if the Big Crunch is analogous to the Big Bang, then time might reverse due to faster-than-light (FTL) conditions associated with the collapse.
  • One participant raises a concern that the idea of time reversal contradicts the second law of thermodynamics and could undermine causality.
  • Another participant emphasizes that nothing with mass can exceed the speed of light, noting that FTL travel is impossible and that increased mass and slowed time are consequences of approaching light speed.
  • A participant reiterates the notion that the expansion of the universe involved space itself expanding rather than matter traveling faster than light.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the possibility of time reversal in a Big Crunch scenario, with no consensus reached. Some support the idea of time reversal under specific conditions, while others firmly reject it based on established physical laws.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the second law of thermodynamics and the nature of mass and light speed, indicating potential limitations in their arguments based on these principles. The discussion also highlights the complexity of relating cosmological events to time's behavior.

Mind Bender
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I'm not sure how popular this theory is, but it kind of makes sense to me that as the Universe approaches the Big Crunch time will actually start to reverse. Time will go backwarsds. Is there any evidence that this is possible?

The space time continuum are one entity, after all. And if the Big Crunch becomes real, then it stands to reason that time will go backwards, right?
 
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Impossible, Time can't go backwards only slowed or forwards.
 
Yes, but many scientists believe that the expansion of the Universe was faster than light. Anything that moves faster than light supposedly travels backward in time. So, if the Big Crunch is anything like the Big Bang then time may actually go in reverse due to the FTL compression.
 
This has been suggested before, but, is not a popular idea. Violating the second law of thermodynamics throws causality under the bus.
 
Good point, Chronos. But perhaps the only way we can know for sure is to wait and see...

LOL.
 
Nothing with a mass can travel faster than the speed of light so Travelling faster than the speed of light and having mass is impossible. one of the main side effects of going that fast is actually having an increased mass, and slowed time. Please correct me if I'm wrong :)
 
Mind Bender said:
Yes, but many scientists believe that the expansion of the Universe was faster than light. Anything that moves faster than light supposedly travels backward in time. So, if the Big Crunch is anything like the Big Bang then time may actually go in reverse due to the FTL compression.

The expansion was of space itself, it did not include matter traveling through space greater than c. The matter was carried with the space.
 

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