The Big Bang Demystified

When it comes to the Big Bang theory of the universe there are a number of misconceptions and misunderstandings; which are proving to be the stumbling blocks preventing a large proportion of the general population from grasping what all the fuss is about.

In fact; they are hindering the general populous from ever gaining a true impression of what the Big Bang theory of the universe is all about, even at the most superficial of levels. With this being the case it is not hard for one to realize that a more detailed accurate and more complete understanding of the Big Bang theory is beyond the ken of all but the most dedicated of scientists.

Exploding Myths and Fallacies

I have a problem with this since the basic principles of the Big Bang theory are not at all hard to come to terms with once all misconceptions and misunderstandings are removed or at the very least corrected.

It is the exploding of the misinterpretations and wrongs along with the enhanced clarification of the true meaning of the Big Bang theory that this article is aiming to put to rights.

A Different Type of Explosion

The Big Bang was not an explosion akin to the detonation of a nuclear weapon or the violent explosive throws of a supernova. These types of explosions occur within space-time.

The Big Bang on the other hand was an explosion of space-time itself. This means that the Big Bang cannot be an explosion at a single point that spews out matter from there (concentrically if you will). There are a number of different observations that support this scenario and we will look into them shortly.

Inaccurate Assumptions

False assumptions that can arise and in fact have arisen out of treating the Big Bang as an explosion along similar lines to that of a bomb type of explosion include:

·         Ever since the Big Bang the universe has been expanding from a single central point

·         The universe is continuing to expand into something

·         Time existed before the Big Bang

Explosion of When and Where

The Big Bang was an explosion of place and instance (when and where). Rather than being an explosion of matter into space the Big Bang was an explosion that brought space into existence.

Before the Big Bang space simply did not exist. Albert Einstein showed us that space and time are inexorably intertwined (you cannot have one without the other) or space-time if you prefer. Thus the Big Bang was not merely an explosion during which space was created it must also have included the creation of time.

You can look at Big Bang as being the creation of when and where (location and time). Only after the creation of space-time can matter have somewhere to explode into at some point in time.

Before the Big Bang there was no time or place (no “when” and no “where”). In the simplest sense you could say that before the Big Bang there wasn’t anything. This is a statement that can only be interpolated after the event (the Big Bang).

Because there was nothing prior to this instant (the instant of the Big Bang) extrapolation beyond the beginning is pointless. In fact it doesn’t really even make sense to say “before the Big Bang” since there was nothing before the Big Bang.

Space-Time Continuum

Space and time come into existence at the moment of the Big Bang. From this point forward (the creation of space-time) we can consider all events as occurring at some place (location) and at some point in time. With all places (space) being interconnected relative to time. This is the basis of the concept of a space-time continuum.

Transitional State - You may like to take the view that the space-time continuum is a transitional state. That is to say that the space-time continuum is permanently changing.

For example an object located may be located at point X at time Y. At some other point in time Z the object may or may not be at point A. If the object is still located at point A the transition (change) that it underwent has been relative in time and not in physical location both relative to the observer. So it is that space-time is a continuum.

Motion Created - Objects may for example be located at Point A at some point in time. Then at a later point in time they may be located at another place. We interpret this as the object has moved or been moved. Thus the concept of motion could only come into existence after the creation of space-time. 

The Inflationary Period

Immediately space-time is created another process known as the Inflationary Period takes place. The critical concept here is that in the smallest fraction of a second, the universe gets very big, very fast.

It is widely accepted that vacuum energy was the driving force throughout the early universe’s very short yet critical Inflationary Period. The Inflationary Period does not last very long and ends with all of the vacuum energy being converted into heat.

During the Inflationary Period space-time is created everywhere simultaneously throughout the region where space-time exists all the way to the boundary where space-time does not exist. This boundary between where space-time exists and where it doesn’t exist is currently still expanding.

More cosmology to follow in future articles shortly.