The default state of the Universe is Inflation

[Sorcerer]

Space is now expanding at and accelerating rate (cf dark energy)

If we extrapolate backwards, we could conclude there was a big bang.

If we observe, we can only see signs of inflation from just after this moment (cf Inflation theory, CMBR.)

 

Therefore we cannot say for certain there was a big bang.

So it's equally possible that the universe's default state is inflation.

 

Matter and energy are fueled/produced by the expansion of space:

 

Space produces virtual particles (VP) (cf uncertainty principle)

As the volume of space increases the probability that more VP's will be produced increases.

 

When space is in its default state of inflation every frame of reference is receeding away from another at faster than the speed of light.

 

Virtual particles appear in pairs which cancel each other out and provide extactly the same ammount of energy that was used to produce them. E.g. Matter/anti-matter pairs.

 

When inflation is in process:

 

The probability of an anti particle pair increases as space inflates

The likelyhood they will "annihilate" decreases as space expansion (from their reference frame) approaches the speed of light.

The seperated pairs energy, which allows for their existence (E=Mc^2) is then deducted from the energy that is producing inflation.

 

So, inflation produces a tempory "swarm" of virutal paricles:

many annihilate and produce a large ammount of photons - these reduce the energy inflation contains (inflation reduction) and contribute to the CMBR

Some don't annihilate and remain till now - many bosons and mesons are produced - they are seperated by the faster than light expansion - inflation reduction

Due to an assymetry the majority of the anti-particles decay first = more energy into photons = inflation reduction

 

Inflation reached an equilibrium; with the matter/energy it produced and the gravity this mass then provided, and its initial energy.

This is the start of our universe we can observe (cf hubble volume).

 

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'exotic' matter (cf dark matter) is produced during inflation

during its lifetime it acts via gravity as a buffer to inflation and produces 'seeds' for galaxys.

It gradually decays and its energy is given back to increase inflation

The rate of decay is proportional to the rate of increase in expansion (dark energy)

 

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Space is now expanding at and accelrating rate (cf dark energy)

If we extrapolate forwards, we could conclude there will be a big rip.

That is the default state of the universe.

 

Edited for spelling and grammar

Edited December 24, 2011 by Sorcerer

[keep_talking]

Fantastic post, but one thing I have to ask:

 

How can the universe be expanding without first having a reaction to cause it? Are you saying there was potentially no BB to kick it all off?

 

Its estimated that at the exact moment of the big bang, and milliseconds afterwards the universe went from the size of an atom, to the size of Jupiter. I don't see how that could occur without a force acting upon it. That is easily defined as exponential rate of expansion.

 

A force in motion will stay in motion, but a force at rest tends to stay at rest. A force in motion will easily stay in motion through the vacuum of space until an opposing force acts upon it.

 

Matter and energy are fueled/produced by the expansion of the universe, but I thought matter could never be created or destroyed? All the matter in the universe is the same matter that was here during the big bang.

 

I just fail to see how the default nature of the universe is expansion.

[Ophiolite]

Sorcerer, you appear to be proposing a variant of Steady State theory, of which Fred Hoyle was the main champion. However the discovery of the cosmic background radiation, by Pennzaias and Wilson, which was predicted by Big Bang theory, is generally thought to have put the nail in the coffin of SS. How do you explain CMBR with your hypothesis.