The Big Bounce theory replaces the Big Bang theory and suggests that the current universe is the result of the collapse of a previous universe. The Big Bang theory doesn’t explain what existed before it or what triggered the expansion. The Big Bounce theory suggests that when the universe expands beyond a certain point, gravity will cause it to collapse back on itself, creating a new universe. Many physicists like the Big Bounce theory because it includes general relativity and quantum mechanics. More studies are needed to determine which theory actually describes the origins of the universe.
The Big Bounce is the name of a scientific theory about the origins of the universe. The theory intends to replace an earlier theory known as the Big Bang. The Big Bang is inconsistent with some aspects of general relativity, Einstein’s famous theory that explains how matter and energy interact. According to the Big Bang theory, the universe initially expanded from a small static point for reasons that are not yet understood. According to the Big Bounce theory, the current universe is the result of the collapse of a previous universe.
Since prehistoric times, humans have pondered the origins of the Earth and the surrounding cosmos. Religion, philosophy, and ancient science posed theories about the origin of the universe, with increasing levels of sophistication. Astronomical observations in the 20th century confirmed that the universe has been expanding for billions of years. Working backwards, physicists have proposed that the universe began as a small dense area that contained all matter and energy. An unexplained event 20 billion years ago caused this matter and energy to expand explosively, an event called the Big Bang.
The problem with this theory is that it doesn’t explain what existed before the Big Bang or what triggered the expansion. These matters have been described as singularities, areas of the universe where the laws of physics do not apply. This was the only way to reconcile the Big Bang with Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, the best model of how the universe works. Scientists have also been considering alternative explanations for how the universe began. In the first decade of the 21st century, studies in quantum physics have led to the theory of the Big Bounce.
According to the Big Bounce Theory, when the universe expands beyond a certain point, gravity will cause it to collapse back on itself, the so-called Big Crunch. Once the collapsing universe reaches a certain density, a principle called loop quantum gravity will cause matter and energy to “bounce” or begin expanding again, creating a new universe. The Big Bounce Theory doesn’t reveal whether this happened one time or more; it could repeat itself indefinitely. Another interesting possibility is that these infinitely repeating universes are identical, effectively creating a universal time loop.
Many physicists like the Big Bounce theory because it does not involve singularities and because it includes general relativity and quantum mechanics, two principles of physics that are notoriously difficult to reconcile. More studies are needed to determine which theory actually describes the origins of the universe. Much depends on quantifying dark matter and dark energy, mysterious substances that can affect the rate of expansion of the universe. Meanwhile, the theory has already provided material for science fiction writers. In a 2011 episode of the animated comedy Futurama, the main characters watched the Big Bounce as they time-traveled to the distant future.
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