The Ultimate Fate of the Universe by Adam Kennedy and Emma Davidson

What are the Theories?

Scientists or cosmologists have come up with many theories concerning that
fate of our entire universe, but there are five in particular to talk about.

Constant Expansion/Big Freeze

Big Crunch The theory of Expansion is based on
This theory is based on density. whether or not the Universe has a density
According to scientists, if the density less than the critical density or not. If it
is greater than the critical density, does, the Universe will expand forever.
than the density will be large enough But as it expands, the temperature will
to stop gravity. This causes the drop to the point of it freezing; this will Big Rip
Universe to retract and collapse on cause it to no longer be able to sustain life. The theory known as the Big
itself. This is the most widely accepted scenario Rip describes the Universe being
throughout the scientific community. ripped apart by the force of
Heat Death
energy. As the density of the Dark
This theory is the opposite of the
Energy increases, galaxies within
Big Freeze. When all of the energy
the Universe, disintegrate; leading
is evenly distributed in the
to the destruction of the entire
Universe. When the Universe goes
Universe.
into a state of maximum entropy;
making it so it can no longer
sustain life.

Big Bounce/Multiverse
The Big Bounce is a little different from the other scenarios because
rather than the end being the obliteration of the Universe, it ends with
the rebirth of the Universe. It is said that when the universe collapses, it
will immediately create a new Universe. The other theory that goes
along with this is the possibility that there is a infinite number of
Universes.
What factors help scientist come up with the theories?
Dark Energy
Dark Energy is this “stuff” that takes up roughly 70
percent of the Universe. Scientist are not really sure
what it is, but they are certain it has to do with the
expansion of the Universe. They believe depending on
how much Dark Energy there is, depends on how
much the Universe will expand. They theorize that it
is this mysterious dark energy that is speeding up the
expansion process by splitting apart galaxies.
is this mysterious dark energy that is speeding up the
expansion process by splitting apart galaxies.

Expansion or contraction of the Universe Density/Geometrical Shape of the Universe

Scientists look at the history of the Universe to
determine if it is more likely to continue to expand
at tis rate or if it will begin to contract. If the
expansion continues because of the dark energy, it
could lead to the universe becoming so cold it will
no longer sustain life or heating up so that it will
no longer be able to sustain life. But if it contracts,
it could lead to the collapsing of the Universe or
the disintegration of it.
Scientists explain that if the pressure of matter is low, like
most matter, than the fate of the Universe, falls on density. If
the density of the Universe is less than the critical density
than it will expand forever and if the density is greater, it will
collapse on itself. So the density has quite a bit to do with
some of the theories. Density also helps scientist figure out
what the shape of the universe is. If the density is greater, the
Universe is like a sphere, if the density is less, the shape is
curved and looks like a saddle, and lastly, if the density is
equal to the critical density, it is flat like a piece of paper. This
creates a link between the geometrical shape of the Universe
and its fate.

The Importance
Scientists are curious to determine these theories because it has to do with the future of man kind
and the future of other species that may be out there. It is important to explore what is around us, no
matter how large.