Where/when are we in a yo-yo universe?

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In summary, the universe is currently expanding, and we can't know whether it will end in a 'recycling' "Big Bounce". The Cyclic Model says that time is always trudging along in the forward direction during a contraction, but in some models (the actual 'cyclic model' of Steinhardt and Turok) time is always increasing according to observers. The CMB radiation shows beyond any doubt that the universe has expanded, and cooled down, since the Big Bang.
  • #1
daveshorty
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Here's a novice question...

Assuming we accept the yo-yo model of the continually expanding and contracting universe, can we know whether the universe is currently expanding or contracting?

Maybe I've missed the point, but I assume that when a contraction occurs, time (along with space) moves backwards?

Surely if it were contracting, we would only see it contracting by viewing it from the perception of someone moving FORWARD in time? I mean wouldn't we see a contracting universe just as we see one moving forward? Only spacetime would be contracting rather than expanding?

Maybe I'm talking utter drivel but if someone could enlighten me a bit on this whole affair I'd be very grateful!

Cheers! :smile:
 
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  • #2
"yo-yo model" ?:confused:?
 
  • #3
Sorry, the Cyclic Model. Bang/Crunch/Bang/Crunch...
 
  • #4
Okay daveshorty, and I missed to say – Welcome to PF! :smile:
daveshorty said:
... model of the continually expanding and contracting universe, can we know whether the universe is currently expanding or contracting?
First, there’s (currently) absolutely no way to know if the universe will end in a 'recycling' "Big Bounce", and even if we could know – there is absolutely nothing that points toward a 'recycled carbon copy' of current universe. In fact, the initial conditions in Big Bang are so special it creates a lot of work for the cosmologists to work the 'mystery' out... (not finished yet).

Second, we are 100% sure that the universe is expanding. In fact, it’s not only an expansion – it’s currently an accelerating expansion!

In 1998 two teams, the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernova_Cosmology_Project" , separately proved that this is a fact.

Third, the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMB" (CMB) radiation shows beyond any doubt that the universe has expanded, and cooled down, since the Big Bang. The CMB is the 'afterglow' of the Big Bang, everywhere.
 
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  • #5
Thanks for that.
Yeah, I guess my question was just, for the sake of interest, based in that hypothetical cyclic universe. If that were the case, is there any way to know how we might be perceiving the crunch in terms of the flow of time?
 
  • #6
daveshorty said:
Thanks for that.
Yeah, I guess my question was just, for the sake of interest, based in that hypothetical cyclic universe. If that were the case, is there any way to know how we might be perceiving the crunch in terms of the flow of time?
This is a difficult question dave, and depends on the exact implementation. During the contracting phase of a cyclic universe, time is still trudging along in the forward direction. In some models, the scale factor of the universe, a(t), decreases as time moves on -- hence the contraction. However, in some implementations (the actual 'cyclic model' of Steinhardt and Turok), a(t) is always increasing according to observers in the universe -- what's cyclic is the entropy density. Cyclic models in general have a difficult time with the actual "crunch" part -- when the universe has contracted to zero size. This is a singularity and according to general relativity, space and time end here. However, it is widely believed that quantum gravitational effects become important before the universe crunches to zero size, so that the singularity is never reached. Of course, what time means in this quantum theory is still unknown.

But in most cyclic models, nothing funny is happening with time from one cycle to the next. The flow of time does not reverse direction in the contracting phase.
 
  • #7
Cheers for that response! Very helpful :smile:
 
  • #8
daveshorty said:
... If that were the case, is there any way to know how we might be perceiving the crunch in terms of the flow of time?

bapowell explained it very well, and I agree. It’s very hard to see an un-boiled egg popping out of the saucepan, cold into my hand, making its way to the hen – just because some galaxy cluster, 13 billion light years away, is 'getting closer'...!? :biggrin:

It’s hard to know – but my feeling is that a "Big Crunch" will not be "The Movie of Big Bang" in reverse...

http://preposterousuniverse.com/".
 
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  • #9
Cool, thanks DevilsAvocado!
 
  • #10
You are welcome!
 

FAQ: Where/when are we in a yo-yo universe?

Where did the concept of a yo-yo universe come from?

The concept of a yo-yo universe was first proposed by theoretical physicist Paul Steinhardt in 2002. He suggested that the universe may go through cycles of expansion and contraction like a yo-yo, with each cycle lasting trillions of years.

How do we know if we are currently in a yo-yo universe?

Currently, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea of a yo-yo universe. However, some scientists believe that further studies into the cosmic microwave background radiation could provide clues about the cyclic nature of the universe.

What would cause the universe to expand and contract in a yo-yo universe?

In the yo-yo universe theory, the expansion and contraction of the universe would be caused by the presence of exotic matter with negative energy density. This type of matter has not been observed in our universe, but it is hypothesized to exist in other universes.

How would a yo-yo universe affect our understanding of the beginning and end of the universe?

If the yo-yo universe theory is correct, it would mean that the universe does not have a definite beginning or end. Instead, it would go through cycles of expansion and contraction infinitely. This would challenge the commonly accepted theory of the Big Bang as the beginning of the universe.

Is there any way to prove or disprove the existence of a yo-yo universe?

At this point, there is no way to prove or disprove the yo-yo universe theory. However, scientists are continuing to study the cosmic microwave background radiation and other astronomical phenomena to gather more data and potentially find evidence for or against this concept.

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