The universe encompasses everything: stars, galaxies,
planets, nebulae, asteroids, star clusters, comets, matter, energy, space,
time, and fundamental forces, among other things. It is composed of
approximately 4.6% ordinary matter, 24% dark matter, and 71% dark energy.
The universe is about 13.7 billion years old and is believed
to have begun with the Big Bang around 13.8 billion years ago.
THEORIES ABOUT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE
The universe has a beginning,
so it is expected to have an end as well. Although humans may not be alive when
the universe reaches its conclusion, it is essential to understand how it might
come to an end. There are several theories regarding the end of the universe,
but four main ones stand out:
1.
The Big Freeze
The Big Freeze theory (also
known as heat death)is the leading theory for the end of the universe. In this
leading theory, because the universe is expanding, it causes all objects to
move farther apart. If this expansion continues, stars will eventually burn
out, and new stars will stop forming, resulting in a decline in heat and
light.
If the Big Freeze happens, it will take approximately 100 trillion years.
2.
The Big Crunch
The Big Crunch is the second
most prominent theory for the end of the universe. In this theory, the universe
will return to a point of singularity because gravity will pull everything
back. This process will repeat itself.
Big Bang -> Universe ->
Big Crunch -> Point of Singularity -> Big Bang -> Universe -> Big
Crunch -> Point of Singularity -> …………..
If the Big Crunch happens, it
will take approximately 20 billion years.
3.
The Big Rip
The Big Rip is only possible when Phantom energy is present.
It is when the acceleration becomes strong enough to tear apart all matter.
If the Big Rip happens, it will take a billion years from
now.
4.
The Big Slurp
The Big Slurp(also called ‘false vacuum decay’) is when a
sudden change in the Higgs field creates a bubble of true vacuum and expands at
the speed of light, destroying everything in its way.
If the Big Slurp happens, it will take billions of years
from now.
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Written by – Akshayakumaran R
Batch number – 28