Lesson 1.

Steady State Theory and

Oscillating Universe Theory
 explain the origin and the fate
of the universe according to
1 steady state theory and
Objectives oscillating universe theory;

At the end identify different proponents

of the 2 of the steady state and
lesson, you oscillating universe theory;
should be
able to: enumerate negative
3 implications of steady state
and oscillating universe theory
 Learn about It!

The Steady State Theory

• The steady state theory is another view that proposes that

the universe has always been expanding.

• As the universe expands, new stars and galaxies are formed

at the same rate that old ones become unobservable due to
distance and recession velocity.
 Learn about It!

• Despite the continuous expansion, the average density of

the universe remains the same; hence, the name steady.
state.

In the steady state theory, matter is constantly created as the

universe expands.
 Learn about It!

The universe according to the Steady State Theory

• Has no beginning and has no end.
• Has always been here and will always be present.
• Always looks the same in any time and space.
• Creates new matter as it continuously expands.
 Learn about It!

Proponents of the Steady State Theory

• Hermann
Bondi, Thomas
Gold, and Fred
Hoyle proposed
the steady state
theory in 1948.
Hermann Bondi Thomas Gold Fred Hoyle
(1919–2005) (1920–2004) (1915–2001)
 Learn about It!

Drawbacks of the Steady State Theory

• It is is not parallel with the law of conservation of energy and
mass.

• The discovery of cosmic microwave background (CMB)

radiation significantly supported the explanations given by
the big bang theory and led many scientists to reject the
steady state theory in 1965.
 Learn about It!

Drawbacks of the Steady State Theory

• Recent findings rejects the idea that cosmic radiation was a
result of a supernova.

• It has been proven that radiation is equal in ay direction of

the universe and could not have resulted from supernovae.
 Learn about It!

Oscillating Universe Theory

• Oscillating Universe theory, also known as pulsating
theory, proposes that the universe is expanding and will
contract once all the energy after the big bang has been
used up.

• Then, it will expand again once it approaches the point of

singularity.
 Learn about It!

The Big Crunch

• The oscillating universe is a
combination of big crunch and big
bang.
• Big crunch occurs when the universe
expands and eventually reverses,
then collapses causing the formation
of a singularity.
Once the universe reverses and
• Singularity result to a big bang and attains the point of singularity,
the birth of a new universe. another universe will be born.
 Learn about It!

Proponent of Oscillating
Universe Theory
• Richard Tolman, a Caltech
professor, proposed it.

• Tolman called the birth of another

universe as the big bounce.

Richard Tolman
 Learn about It!

Drawbacks of the Oscillating Universe Theory

• The suggestion that the universe would collapse on its own
after it reached its full expansion violates some current laws
of physics, such as the postulated existence of dark energy.

• The currently postulated end of the universe is by big freeze

or heat death.
Key Points

Both the steady state theory and big bang theory

1 suggest that the universe is expanding.

Steady state theory proposes that as the universe

2 continuously expand, its average density remains
constant.

It was proposed by Hermann Bondi, Thomas Gold,

3
and Fred Hoyle in 1948.
Key Points

Steady state theory violates the law of conseration

4 of mass and energy.

The oscillating universe theory discusses that the

universe is expanding and will contract once all the
5 energy after the big bang has been used up, only to
expand again once it approaches the point of
singularity.
Key Points

Richard Tolman is the proponent of oscillating

6 universe theory.

Oscillating universe theory violates current laws of

7 physics laws such as the postulated existence of
dark matter.
 Check Your Understanding

Write S if the statement describes the steady state theory

or O if it describes oscillating universe theory.
1. Other astronomers did not favor this theory since it did not
follow the law of conservation of energy and mass.
2. It states that our universe might be the first of the probable
series of universe or nth universe in the series.
3. During expansion, the density of the universe remains
constant.
4. The universe is governed by cycles of big crunch and big
bang.
5. As the universe expands, new matter is formed.
 Challenge Yourself

What are the similarities and differences of the big

bang theory, the steady state theory, and the
oscillating universe theory?
 Bibliography
Rodney Holder and Simon Mitton. 2013. Georges Lemaître: Life, Science and Legacy, Germany: Springer
Science & Business Media.

John Chambers and Jacqueline Mitton. 2013. From Dust to Life: The Origin and Evolution of Our Solar
System, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

Michael Mark Woolfson. 2012. Time, Space, Stars and Man: The Story of the Big Bang, Singapore: World
Scientific.

J. Schombert. 2012. Origin of the Solar System. Accessed March 16, 2017
http://abyss.uoregon.edu/~js/ast121/lectures/lec24.html

D. Darling. 2016. Chamberlin-Moulton planetesimal hypothesis. Accessed March 16,

2017http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/CMplanhypoth.html