Inflationary Theory Explained: A Beginner's Guide

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter vincentm
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Theory
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Inflationary Theory, proposed by Alan Guth in 1981, addresses key issues in the standard cosmological model, specifically the horizon, density, smoothness, and magnetic monopole problems. The theory posits that a rapid release of energy during a phase change in the Higgs field leads to an explosive expansion of the universe immediately after the Big Bang. While the theory's predictions align with certain cosmological observations, it necessitates the existence of the Higgs boson or an alternative particle known as the Inflaton, which remain undiscovered despite extensive research efforts over the past two decades.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic cosmological concepts, including the Big Bang theory
  • Familiarity with General Relativity (GR) and its implications in cosmology
  • Knowledge of particle physics, particularly the Higgs field and Higgs boson
  • Awareness of cosmological observations and their significance in validating theories
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the Higgs boson in particle physics
  • Study the mathematical framework of General Relativity and its application in cosmology
  • Explore the observational evidence supporting Inflationary Theory
  • Investigate alternative theories to Inflation, such as cyclic models or ekpyrotic scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, cosmologists, and anyone interested in understanding the early universe and the foundational theories of modern cosmology.

vincentm
Messages
322
Reaction score
3
I was hoping someone can give a more "dumbed" down explantion of this for me? I know that it deals with "how the big bang started, but I'm kind of having a hard time wrapping my head around this.
 
Space news on Phys.org
Actually Inflation deals with just after the "the big bang started".

There are three coincidence problems with the 'raw' GR cosmological model, caused by its acceleration decelerating, viz: the horizon, the density and the smoothness problem and a fourth 'magnetic monopole' problem.

These were resolved by Inflation theory, first proposed by Alan Guth in 1981 by combining insights from fundamental physics with cosmology. In it a sudden release of energy at a phase change in the 'Higgs field' causes the universe to undergoe a short impulse of explosive acceleration in its expansion.

The theory makes some predictions which appear to be verified by cosmological observations but it also requires the existence of a fundamental particle called the Higgs boson, or alternatively, Inflaton, which have not been found even after over twenty years of intense research.

You can read more here

Garth
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Is it time to take the 'bang' out of the Big Bang?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate The Inflationary and The Big Bang Theory
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Age of Universe: Big Bang, Braneworlds & Perspective
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
High School Question on paper: Inflationary spacetimes are not past-complete
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
High School Big Bang and Infinite Universe
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
High School A Valid Position on Time Theory?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad The particle horizon value is ignoring inflation?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Some questions about Cosmic Inflation
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
High School What are these diagrams showing about GR?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Graduate What does the big bang theory really tells us?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K