It Wasn’t Big And It Wasn’t A Bang
Imagine empty space, space so empty that it doesn’t even contain space as we know it. Then a large explosion fills it with our universe. This is The Big Bang. Well, not quite. According to The Big Bang Theory, the universe didn’t actually begin with an explosion but instead it all started with an expansion and it wasn’t even a big expansion at first.
So, where did this expansion come from? In this empty space there was a singularity, an infinitely hot, infinitely dense, infinitesimally small object. Apparently, this singularity at some point expanded. According to calculations by Steven Hawking, George Ellis, and Roger Penrose, this expansion was the origin of space, time, matter, and energy. Everything that exists in our universe began as a singularity.
What began as something very, very small and very, very hot expanded into the size and temperature of our current universe and continues to expand. The idea that our universe, something that seems infinitely large, was once the size of an atom (or even smaller) is difficult to comprehend. As difficult as it is to comprehend, however, it does have a lot of support. Discoveries in astronomy and physics going back as far as the ancient Greeks have led to the development of The Big Bang Theory. In the context of the evidence, it is reasonable for The Big Bang Theory to be broadly accepted as the explanation for the beginning of the universe. Although it is a plausible explanation, many questions also arise from this theory.
What about the First Law of Thermodynamics? This law states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It can only change forms. If Hawking, Ellis, and Penrose’s calculations are correct then the Big Bang, or rather the big expansion, was a violation of this law. Does one have to be right and the other wrong? Or does the First Law of Thermodynamics really mean that energy cannot be created nor destroyed after its initial creation?
What about Newton’s Third Law of Motion? This law basically states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What was the equal and opposite force associated the expansion force of the singularity? It is likely that a very large force would result from the expansion of a singularity. Therefore, if Newton’s third law applies to the big expansion, there must have also been an equal and opposite force to the expansion.
Space, time, matter, and energy originated with The Big Bang, but where did life originate? At what point did energy and matter combine to form life? A complete theory of the beginning of the universe should have an explanation for one of the most important beginnings. Most importantly, where did the singularity come from? Why did it appear? These final questions seem out of reach for science to answer. To fully understand the beginning of the universe, either a better understanding of The Big Bang Theory or a belief in deity seem necessary. The idea of the universe beginning from a big explosion in space is a misunderstanding of The Big Bang Theory, but it is easier on the brain.
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