The theory of how the universe ultimately came to be is known as the Big Bang theory. This theory states that the universe as we know it started with a small singularity, then inflated over the next 13.8 billion years to the cosmos that we know today. The next question to ask yourself is, if there is a start to the universe such as the Big Bang, will there be an ending to the universe? There is in fact a theory that talks about the fate of the universe and the ending of basically everything, although this isn't supposed to happen for a very long time from now, the theory states that it will happen eventually (22 billion years from now). "In physical cosmology, the Big Rip is a hypothetical cosmological model concerning the ultimate fate of the universe," (nature.com). The Big Rip states that everything in the universe such as the matter of the universe from stars and galaxies to atoms and subatomic particles, and even spacetime itself, is progressively torn apart by the expansion of the universe at a certain time.
The Big Rip theory was developed by Marcelo Disconzi, an assistant professor of mathematics at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee who was in collaboration with physics professors Thomas Kephart and Robert Scherrer. The trio were grappling with the problem of cosmic viscosity, how sticky the universe is, when they realized their work supported the Big Rip. Disconzi's hypothesis is based on existing theories about dark energy, a largely theoretical substance thought to make up 70 percent of the universe's mass. For a Big Rip to occur, dark energy must win in its battle with gravity to such a point where it can rip apart individual atoms. He began by looking at the stickiness of the universe, or how resistant it is to expansion and contraction. So called cosmological viscosity is different to the viscosity of something like ketchup, which is measured by how quickly a liquid can move through a small opening. Back in 2003, Disconzi linked his theory of cosmological viscosity to the Big Rip by looking at what happens to the motion of fluids in supernovae or neutron stars. "He began by looking at the stickiness of the universe -- or how resistant it is to expansion and contraction. So-called cosmological viscosity is different to the viscosity of something like ketchup, which is measured by how quickly a liquid can move through a small opening," (wired.co.uk, 2).
In order to understand or even get a grip on this theory of the Big Rip, physicists need to understand more about dark energy and how it works. If dark energy behaves so that it gets stronger and stronger over time, it will eventually overcome everything, and you’ll have a universe with nothing left. "That’s the ‘Big Rip’ – if dark energy gets stronger and stronger over time, it will eventually overcome any forces of attraction, and then everything is torn apart," (universetoday.com, 1). Imagine the universe is a balloon and that there are galaxies drawn onto the balloon. As you blow up the balloon the surface are of the balloon increases and so does the distances between the galaxies on the balloon, and eventually the balloon cant expand anymore and it pops. That is what the Big Rip is stating, that the universe is expanding and eventually it cant expand anymore and everything will be ripped apart.
Works Cited:
- Cain, Fraser. “What Is The Big Rip?” Universe Today, 14 Mar. 2017, www.universetoday.com/107316/what-is-the-big-rip/.
- Howell, Elizabeth. “What Is the Big Bang Theory?” Space.com, Space, 7 Nov. 2017, www.space.com/25126-big-bang-theory.html.
- Temperton, James. “Big Rip: How the Universe Could Tear Itself to Shreds.” WIRED UK, WIRED UK, 4 Oct. 2017, www.wired.co.uk/article/big-rip-end-of-the-universe.
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