Explaining Cosmic Inflation using analogies

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of Cosmic Inflation and how it can be explained using analogies. The first analogy compares the growth of the universe from a subatomic size to the size of a tennis ball to the inflation of a football, which would result in a size similar to that of the solar system. However, the accuracy of this analogy is questioned, as it may result in a much larger size than the solar system. Another analogy is then presented, stating that the universe doubled in size at least 90 times during the inflation period, which could result in a football growing to a size of 10^25 meters in diameter. The conversation also acknowledges the incomprehensible magnitude of Cosmic Inflation and suggests using simpler analogies
  • #1
Paolo 2008
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TL;DR Summary
Cosmic Inflation might be explained to the average person using simpler analogies.
An analogy to understand Cosmic Inflation: If the universe grew in size from a subatomic size to the size of a tennis ball (or softball) in a tiny fraction of a second, then a football inflated at the same rate will grow to an approximate size of our solar system. Is this a correct analogy? Wouldn't the football grow to several billion times our solar system? Or just one solar system is more approximate to a plausible analogy?
 
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  • #2
Here is another analogy I found on Space.com "During this period, the universe doubled in size at least 90 times, going from subatomic-sized to golf-ball-sized almost instantaneously". So, I was wondering if we double a football 90 times, would it grow to be the size of the solar system? Or way larger, I calculated it to be something in the vicinity of 10^25 meters in diameter. Anybody agrees or am I miscalculating?
 
  • #3
Without even doing any calculation I can see that it is definitely in the right ballpark in terms of orders of magnitude, which means it is MANY orders of magnitude larger than the milky way, to say nothing of being a bit larger than the solar system.

The magnitude of inflation is, to my mind, literally incomprehensible. It's just numbers. I don't mean to suggest that it's not correct, just that it is WAY far outside of human understanding as anything other than numbers.
 
  • #4
Paolo 2008 said:
Summary: Cosmic Inflation might be explained to the average person using simpler analogies.

An analogy to understand Cosmic Inflation: If the universe grew in size from a subatomic size to the size of a tennis ball (or softball) in a tiny fraction of a second, then a football inflated at the same rate will grow to an approximate size of our solar system. Is this a correct analogy? Wouldn't the football grow to several billion times our solar system? Or just one solar system is more approximate to a plausible analogy?
Some caution. Would it not be better to rather say that the observable universe grew exponentially from subatomic size to a softball size in a tiny fraction of a second. There were probably many, even infinitely many such regions, making up the Universe. Then, without specifying times for simplicity, one can say that a phase transition happened, dumping some of that kinetic energy into particles of matter, bringing the inflation period to an end. From there on it was just decelerating expansion, until dark energy lately again started pushing the observable universe towards exponential expansion again.
 
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FAQ: Explaining Cosmic Inflation using analogies

1. What is cosmic inflation?

Cosmic inflation is a theoretical concept in cosmology that proposes the rapid expansion of the universe in the first few moments after the Big Bang. It is believed to have occurred due to a sudden burst of energy, causing the universe to expand at a rate faster than the speed of light.

2. How can cosmic inflation be explained using analogies?

One analogy commonly used to explain cosmic inflation is the concept of blowing up a balloon. Just as a balloon expands rapidly when it is inflated, the universe also underwent a rapid expansion during cosmic inflation. Another analogy is the rising of bread dough, where the dough expands and rises due to the release of gas, similar to how the universe expanded due to the release of energy during cosmic inflation.

3. Why is cosmic inflation important in understanding the universe?

Cosmic inflation is important because it helps explain some of the observed properties of the universe, such as its overall homogeneity and isotropy. It also provides a solution to the horizon problem, which is the question of how different regions of the universe that are too far apart to have interacted with each other can have the same temperature and properties.

4. Are there any criticisms or alternative theories to cosmic inflation?

Yes, there are some criticisms and alternative theories to cosmic inflation. Some scientists argue that there is not enough evidence to support the theory of cosmic inflation, while others propose alternative theories such as the ekpyrotic universe or the cyclic universe. However, cosmic inflation remains the most widely accepted explanation for the rapid expansion of the universe.

5. How does cosmic inflation relate to the Big Bang theory?

Cosmic inflation is a component of the Big Bang theory. It is believed to have occurred in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang, and it helps explain some of the observed properties of the universe that cannot be explained by the traditional Big Bang model. Therefore, cosmic inflation is an important aspect of our understanding of the origins and evolution of the universe according to the Big Bang theory.

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