Originally Posted by
Aurora2000
I am not a physicist, but if I am not wrong, you have spoken about two different ends: the first (where everything starts going apart) is called Big Rip, in which for each atom its observable universe is empty (i.e. every other atom stays outside). The second scenario, in which the Universe continues its expansion, and II law of thermodynamics does its job, is called Big Freeze (or heat death). These two scenarios involve very different timescales.
The second scenario can be grossly reassumed as follows: due to II law of thermodynamics, Universe will have lower and lower energy density, thus lower and lower gradients (which naturally diminishes in a closed system).
As for the quantum part, unfortunately I do not remember anything. Will the Universe at some point recreate an enourmous gradient (maybe due to quantum effects) is entirely uncertain.
Hi Aurora,
Yes, two quite different fates for the universe. I can't be 100 percent sure but I think it is the second scenario I was thinking about. I would look it up but I don't know where to look.
Perhaps I misunderstood the theory. From memory it seems to be claiming that the universe will eventually experience a heat death. A reasonable assumption given that the universe is accelerating. Every point is moving away from every other point. If this goes unchecked the universe will reach absolute zero.
Given the liquid helium experiment there is a claim that at extremely low temperatures matter starts to behave in a odd way. Going on my limited understanding, the people conducting the experiment on the U tube clip seem to be claiming there is some type of quantum entanglement going on. Although this is not stated directly. "Spooky action at a distance" as Einstein would say.
It was then I remembered this particular Big Freeze/Singularity Theory. It would strike everyone, including myself that this is counter intuitive. A Big Freeze can't be a Singularity and a Singularity cannot be a Big Freeze
In quantum terms a very tiny distance (Planck length) is required for space time to be subject to quantum effects. Once ( assuming one day it will) the universe has reached absolute zero then distance is irrelevant in quantum terms. There is no difference between a Plank length and 15 billion light years. Matter will behave like it would at tiny distances provided it is cold enough.
Perhaps it is possible to show how the two dissimilar states exhibit a similar type of symmetry. As said, I really can't remember the theory so I better apologize to the person who came up with it just in case I am reading a whole lot of stuff into it that isn't really there.
Is there a quantum physicist out there that can help?
Tut