Cause of Big Bang: What Started the Expansion?

In summary, there is no clear explanation for what caused the big bang, as the concept of energy may not be applicable at the Plank level. Additionally, the idea of causation and time may not exist in this theoretical concept. Some experts, such as Stephen Hawking, have compared it to asking what is north of the North Pole. However, others have suggested the concept of a quantum fluctuation, where our universe emerged after an infinite amount of time finding the right balance of properties. Overall, the exact cause of the big bang remains a mystery."
  • #1
brother time
45
0
I was wondering what caused the big bang? The expansion would need some energy to start wouldn't it?
 
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  • #2
No, because it was not an explosion.
It is not clear even if notion of energy is applicable at Plank Level, so there is no solution for the universe and time about few Planck times.
 
  • #3
As I understand it, in theoretical concept, there wouldn't be anything to "cause" it, and there would be no need to "cause" it since the concept of time, cause and effect would not exist. As Stephen Hawking said in response to the question of what was before the Big Bang; "What is north of the North Pole?"
 
  • #4
Thanks Tubba,
this explanation really helped, and thanks dmitry, both of you helped clear up some of my misconceptions
cheers, BT
 
  • #5
There are lots of threads about this. This is what I said in a recent one.
 
  • #6
Thanks Fredrik,
this is probably the clearest explanation I have had.
 
  • #7
Yeah that was well put. That was my question he posted on. It helped me a lot too.
 
  • #8
I still like the quantum fluctuation explanation. Our universe 'fluctuated' for an infinite amount of time until it found the right balance of properties to become emergent.
 

FAQ: Cause of Big Bang: What Started the Expansion?

What is the Big Bang Theory?

The Big Bang Theory is the leading scientific explanation for the origin of the universe. It proposes that about 13.8 billion years ago, all matter and energy in the universe was contained in a single, extremely dense and hot point, known as a singularity. This singularity then expanded rapidly, creating the universe as we know it.

What caused the Big Bang?

The exact cause of the Big Bang is still unknown and is a subject of ongoing scientific research. Some theories suggest that the universe was created by a quantum fluctuation in a vacuum, while others propose the existence of a multiverse where our universe is just one of many. Ultimately, the true cause of the Big Bang may never be fully understood.

What evidence supports the Big Bang Theory?

There are several lines of evidence that support the Big Bang Theory. One of the strongest pieces of evidence is the observation of the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is a remnant of the intense heat and light from the early stages of the universe. Other evidence includes the abundance of light elements, the redshift of distant galaxies, and the large-scale structure of the universe.

What role does dark matter play in the Big Bang?

Dark matter is a mysterious substance that makes up about 27% of the universe. While it does not directly cause the Big Bang, it is believed to have played a crucial role in the formation of the universe. Without dark matter, the early universe would not have had enough gravitational pull to form the structures we see today, such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies.

Can the Big Bang be proven?

As with any scientific theory, the Big Bang cannot be proven beyond a doubt. However, the overwhelming amount of evidence from various fields of study, such as physics, astronomy, and cosmology, strongly supports the Big Bang Theory. It remains the most widely accepted and tested explanation for the origin of the universe.

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