What happens to the energy when the universe dies out?

[louisbaron]

What happens to energy when the universe dies out? I understand how the law of conversation on energy works within a closed system(somewhat) but what about on the universal scale? If dark energy is accelerating planets outward isn't energy increasing or just staying proportionate?

 

[jedishrfu]

Welcome to PF!

If you consider the universe as a closed system and consider the second and third laws of thermodynamics it will tend to go from a higher energy state to a lower one then I suspect the energy will be dissipated across the total expanse of spacetime.

 

[Bandersnatch]

Have a read through this:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html

In short, it's difficult to even define energy on the cosmological scales.

 

[duhuhu]

Have you heard of the theory of "Heat Death" of the universe?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_death_of_the_universe

It is a fun theory that is impossible to prove, but it is one plausible theory about what the end of the universe will look like.

This link has many different theories that each have different ways for the energy to either be reclaimed, or dispersed to equilibrium.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_fate_of_the_universe