Ultimate Fate of the Universe Flashcards
What is the oscillating theory of the universe?
The oscillating theory states that the gravitational pull of all the galaxies/other matter would be enough to slow or reverse the expansion of the universe
What is the expansion rate of the universe?
1x10^12 cubic light years
What force is causing the continued expansion?
Dark energy
In the oscillating theory, what force was supposed to slow the expansion of the universe?
Dark matter
Why did the discovery that galaxies have less mass than expected create a problem for the oscillating model?
Clusters of galaxies not having enough mass to create the gravity needed to hold them together, created the question of what is the missing mass responsible for holding it together
What is dark matter?
Dark matter is theorized to be the missing mass that is responsible for the gravity needed to hold galaxies together
The best theory is that dark matter is some form of particle yet to be discovered
If there were not enough mass to hold the galaxies and galaxy superclusters together, how with the distribution of stars in the night sky appear?
They would appear to be spread evenly
What evidence supports the idea that dark matters found in the outer fringes of a galaxy?
Even though the outer fringes contain less stars the amount of mass does not decrease
If dark matter did not exist what would happen to the outer arms of a spiral galaxy?
The outer arms would rotate slower than the center
Why did the discovery of dark energy cause scientists to abandon the oscillating theory?
Energy that is part of space itself is speeding up causing the universe to increase its rate of expansion not decrease
Why is dark energy not considered to be an anti-gravity force?
Its strength increases with distance, opposite to that of gravity
Distribution of all matter in the universe (percentage)
73% dark energy, 23% dark matter, 3.6% atoms of normal matter, 0.6% visible matter
Big Chill theory
-DE down > G
-the effects of Dark Energy decrease, but the universe expands forever, albeit at a slow rate
-eventually ends with a dark, cold, dead universe
Modified Big Chill theory
-DE const. > G
-effects of Dark Energy continue as present, and the universe continues to expand
-structures not bound by gravity eventually fly apart
-ultimately, ends in a Big Chill, just faster
-most popular theory
Big Rip theory
-DE increase > G
-effects of Dark Energy increase, eventually overcoming all the fundamental forces
-disintegrates the universe
-galaxies, then solar systems, then stars, then planets would explode, and then even atoms
-time would eventually stop
-everything gets ripped apart, and particles moving at the speed of light
