Universe Cycle

[herme3]

The idea that the universe has a beginning and end seems too difficult to comprehend. It raises the questions "what caused the beginning?" and "what will happen after the end?" I can't understand why an unlimited amount of time would pass, and then the universe suddenly forms and expands, and then an unlimited amount of time passes again.

 

I think the fact that the universe exists must be a law of physics. The universe must exist, just like any other law must be true. I believe that the universe is a never ending cycle. It has a phase of compression, it expands, and then compresses again. Given what we know about the universe, this is the only explanation that is logical to me.

 

If the universe is a never ending cycle, could it have random differences in each cycle? For example, do you think there would be different galaxies, planets, and life forms each time? Or, do you think it repeats itself continuously, and all of us live the exact same lives every cycle? I believe that the cycle repeats itself each time, because true randomness seems unlikely in a universe based on laws.

[jackson33]

some of the very first Big Bang Theory, was based on the notion, the universe did expand and contract, that the contraction led to another BB and so on. currently few think this as most are assuming the expansion is an never ending process. when you get down to all things repeating them selves in each cycle your really play with the odds.

 

we can see matter in the universe as its dies, as it forms and how it acts in various stages of existence. our visions are from things that were from a few thousand years ago and with diminishing clarity back to billions of years in the past.

 

i prefer to think cells, elements or what ever you feel are the smallest parts of matter, do regenerate forming new stars, solar systems, energy and what have you. this is the only cycle observable or understandable to our limited knowledge. when our planet dies and then the sun, it will all become debris is space, which will reform and become a new something. your cells your phone book, even our atmosphere will likely never be these items again, regardless of time.

[Klaynos]

My first point is going to be annoying and blunt but it's not having a go at you, but physics and the universe doesn't really care about what's "logical" just look at QM

 

The idea that the universe has a beginning and end seems too difficult to comprehend. It raises the questions "what caused the beginning?" and "what will happen after the end?" I can't understand why an unlimited amount of time would pass, and then the universe suddenly forms and expands, and then an unlimited amount of time passes again.

 

The questions what caused the begining and what will happen after the end are indeed very interesting and there is alot of thought in this area but some of the thought is "we can't know it's not possible to know"...

 

I think the fact that the universe exists must be a law of physics. The universe must exist, just like any other law must be true. I believe that the universe is a never ending cycle. It has a phase of compression, it expands, and then compresses again. Given what we know about the universe, this is the only explanation that is logical to me.

 

The laws of physics are only valid within the universe, but one of the fundamentals is that everything is within the universe, if you can interact with it it's in the universe. That is in fact the definition of universe, everything.

 

The compression expantion theory is a current one, but most if not all of them state that it's impossible to interact with the last or the next expansion/collapse stages.

 

If the universe is a never ending cycle, could it have random differences in each cycle? For example, do you think there would be different galaxies, planets, and life forms each time? Or, do you think it repeats itself continuously, and all of us live the exact same lives every cycle? I believe that the cycle repeats itself each time, because true randomness seems unlikely in a universe based on laws.

 

Most of the theories allow for changes. The universe is a chaotic system, so even the tiniest change at the start will lead to MASSIVE differences further along.

 

One of the theories I quite like is that black holes actually form separate universes within the collapsed star...

 

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18925423.600

[herme3]

The compression expantion theory is a current one, but most if not all of them state that it's impossible to interact with the last or the next expansion/collapse stages.

 

I agree that it would probably be impossible to interact with other expansion/collapse stages. I don't think any structured formations of matter could survive the compression stage.

 

Most of the theories allow for changes. The universe is a chaotic system, so even the tiniest change at the start will lead to MASSIVE differences further along.

 

Would every compression stage of the universe be identical, so that there is only one type of element and all matter is distributed evenly? If so, how could there be change during expansion if the laws of physics remain the same? Wouldn't that require some type of randomness?

 

I don't believe there is true randomness in the universe. Every event is the reaction of prior conditions following basic laws. If it were possible to replicate all prior conditions for a given event, I believe that any event could be replicated without change.

 

One of the theories I quite like is that black holes actually form separate universes within the collapsed star...

 

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18925423.600

 

That is interesting. It sounds like our own universe may have formed from an enormous star. Perhaps what we consider to be the "universe" really isn't the universe, but just a small part of a larger system.

[Klaynos]

I agree that it would probably be impossible to interact with other expansion/collapse stages. I don't think any structured formations of matter could survive the compression stage.

 

 

 

Would every compression stage of the universe be identical, so that there is only one type of element and all matter is distributed evenly? If so, how could there be change during expansion if the laws of physics remain the same? Wouldn't that require some type of randomness?

 

It depends how far along we get, if we get close to an entropy death of the universe then yes, but if not then no, I don't think most of the cruch theories allow you to get that close due to mass distribution...

 

I don't believe there is true randomness in the universe. Every event is the reaction of prior conditions following basic laws. If it were possible to replicate all prior conditions for a given event, I believe that any event could be replicated without change.

 

Randomness is an interesting one... And the word is always applied to non-random systems. Of course currently tehse simple rules of which you speak include quantum mechanics, relativity and then things like statistical quantum mechanics which are not really simple...

 

That is interesting. It sounds like our own universe may have formed from an enormous star. Perhaps what we consider to be the "universe" really isn't the universe, but just a small part of a larger system.

 

Yes, but it'd be impossible to contact the others so it is just our universe. I like the idea though, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :|

[foodchain]

It depends how far along we get, if we get close to

Yes, but it'd be impossible to contact the others so it is just our universe. I like the idea though, it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :|

 

I dont understand this part. For instance if different "universes" happen to exist and we are part of it, how can we be "part" of something we cannot interact with?

[Klaynos]

I dont understand this part. For instance if different "universes" happen to exist and we are part of it, how can we be "part" of something we cannot interact with?

 

The best I can do is point you towards the newscientist article above ^^^

 

It's been a while since I read about this stuff.