Theory about the end and beginning of the universe.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around theories regarding the end and beginning of the universe, particularly focusing on concepts of expansion, gravity, and the potential for a rebirth of the universe. Participants explore various models and ideas related to cosmology, including the implications of gravity's role in the universe's fate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a theory that as the universe expands, gravity will weaken, leading to a collapse and subsequent rebirth of the universe.
  • Another participant questions the mechanism by which the universe would collapse without gravity, seeking clarification on the initial theory.
  • Some participants express confusion over the concept of space-time "increasing" and challenge the idea of the universe folding in on itself.
  • A participant mentions that general relativity does not define a gravitational force and that the Einstein field equations only address local geometry, not global topology.
  • One participant suggests that if gravity were to disappear, it would warp dimensions in the universe, although they acknowledge their idea may not have been fully thought through.
  • Another participant recommends that the original poster (OP) learn more about physics and astronomy, noting that significant work has already been done in these areas.
  • A participant shares their support for the big freeze theory, explaining that as the universe expands, stars will eventually extinguish, leading to a dark universe, contingent on the behavior of dark energy.
  • Another participant adds that the end of the universe in various cosmological models, including flat and open decelerating cosmologies, would still result in heat death, regardless of dark energy's influence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the fate of the universe, with no consensus reached on the original theory or the mechanisms involved in cosmic evolution.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including unclear definitions of concepts like space-time and gravity, as well as unresolved questions about the implications of various cosmological models.

scienceislife
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I am very new to physics and astronomy, so I don't know much, but I have a theory so tell me what's wrong with it. So assuming the universe is infinite and it continues to expand, as it expands the force of gravity between objects will lessen and eventually matter will no longer have a gravitational force holding them together. Then, without gravity, space time will cause the universe to collapse on itself and the universe will be 'reborn'.
 
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scienceislife said:
Then, without gravity, space time will cause the universe to collapse on itself and the universe will be 'reborn'.
If there's no gravity, what then causes the universe to collapse?
 
As gravity decreases, space time increases so then the universe will almost fold on itself.
 
That doesn't make any sense. Space-time increases?? What is there to increase? What does it mean for the universe to fold in on itself? A few remarks: 1. there is no gravitational force in general relativity and 2. the Einstein field equations only determine the local geometry of space-time, not the global topology.
 
scienceislife said:
As gravity decreases, space time increases so then the universe will almost fold on itself.
How does spacetime increasing result in the universe folding in on itself?
 
Because it it increases so quickly, that dimension warps in comparison to the others, however if gravity did 'disappear' many things would be warped. I'm not sure, I just had an idea in my head that wasn't thought through.
 
This is not the right place to trial balloon a new 'theory'.
 
scienceislife said:
I am very new to physics and astronomy, so I don't know much, but I have a theory so tell me what's wrong with it. So assuming the universe is infinite and it continues to expand, as it expands the force of gravity between objects will lessen and eventually matter will no longer have a gravitational force holding them together. Then, without gravity, space time will cause the universe to collapse on itself and the universe will be 'reborn'.

I recommend you start by learning something about physics and astronomy! A lot of work has been already done on these subjects, and you might learn some interesting stuff from others.
 
For the end of the universe , I subscribe to the big freeze theory:
As time progresses and the universe continues to expand, eventually matter will move far enough apart that gravity will no longer be sufficient to pull that matter together to make new stars. One by one the stars will go out and the universe will be pitch black.

this is of course as long as dark energy continues to plug away at a steady rate.

This sounds like what the OP was trying to describe, excluding the portion about the universe being reborn.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
DHF said:
this is of course as long as dark energy continues to plug away at a steady rate.
This will happen even if it doesn't -- flat and open decelerating cosmologies also end in heat death.
 

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