Humans have always believed that the universe is infinite, existing forever like the endless night. However, modern physics theories show that the universe can end, not in just one way – but in a series of different scenarios, each scenario has its own “fate” for every star, planet, and space-time itself.
A diagram of the Big Bang that would continue to expand forever in the Big Freeze model. (Source: Newatlas)
Big Crunch – the universe shrinks and collapses in on itself
A new study published on the science site arXiv suggests a surprising scenario: Instead of expanding forever, the universe could reverse course and begin to contract – ending in a monumental collapse, known as the Big Crunch.
According to the article on IFLScience, the research team hypothesized that dark energy – the component that is pushing the universe to expand – could have a negative value, causing the expansion to slow down and then reverse.
If true, the Big Crunch will happen in about 33.3 billion years – much sooner than previous predictions.
Big Rip – when the universe is torn apart
The Big Rip scenario is likened to a more brutal version of cosmic death: Dark energy grows stronger, to the point of tearing apart every molecule, destroying all physical structures.
When space-time expands too quickly, the forces that hold it together break down: Planets, stars, and atoms all fall apart. According to estimates, this scenario could happen in the next few tens of billions of years – depending on how dark energy evolves.
In the Big Slurp model, a bubble of pseudo-vacuum decay would expand across the universe, swallowing everything. (Source: Iflscience)
Big Bounce – The Universe Doesn't Die, It's Just Reborn
Some theoretical physicists have proposed the Big Bounce scenario – where the universe expands and contracts, then “explodes” into a new universe. This cycle could repeat forever, like an endless cycle of life and death.
The end is not total destruction, but rebirth – making the Big Crunch the starting point for the next Big Bang. This idea is somewhat philosophical, but it is still pursued by many scientists.
False Vacuum Decay – the end of the world happens in a moment
Of all the scenarios, False Vacuum Decay is perhaps the most “creepy.” This is a situation where the universe currently exists in an unstable energy state – a form of “false vacuum.”
If a quantum mutation were to occur, a true vacuum could form and propagate at the speed of light, obliterating all of space-time – without warning, without escape.
“There's no way to prevent or predict it — it just happens,” one physicist told Scientific American.
The universe could end in many different ways. (Source: Newatlas)
Whatever outcome awaits the universe, humans still have tens of billions of years ahead of them – enough to explore , develop, and hopefully even understand the true nature of the cosmos.
Understanding “apocalyptic” scenarios is not only a curiosity, but also helps scientists reframe the biggest questions: Where did the universe come from, how does it work, and where will it eventually go?
Minh Hoan
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/vu-tru-co-the-ket-thuc-som-hon-du-doan-ar956633.html
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