Assessing the feasibility of a cyclical universe from "summary" of Endless Universe by Paul J. Steinhardt,Neil Turok
The idea of a cyclical universe, where the universe goes through an endless series of expansions and contractions, is one that has fascinated cosmologists for many years. But is such a concept feasible? Can it be supported by our current understanding of physics and cosmology?One of the key challenges in assessing the feasibility of a cyclical universe is reconciling it with the laws of thermodynamics. The second law of thermodynamics tells us that entropy, or disorder, always increases over time. This poses a problem for a universe that goes through repeated cycles of expansion and contraction, as each cycle would lead to an increase in entropy that would never be reset. Another challenge comes from the observed expansion of our universe. Current observations suggest that the universe is not only expanding, but that this expansion is accelerating. If the universe is to go through a series of cycles, there must be a mechanism that can reverse this expansion and bring everything back together again. Despite these challenges, there are some theories that attempt to address the feasibility of a cyclical universe. For example, the ekpyrotic universe model proposed by some physicists suggests that our universe is just one of many in a higher-dimensional space. According to this model, the collisions between these higher-dimensional universes could give rise to cycles of expansion and contraction. While the idea of a cyclical universe may seem far-fetched, it is important to remember that our understanding of the universe is constantly evolving. New discoveries and theories could shed light on the feasibility of such a concept in the future. For now, the debate continues among cosmologists as they grapple with the implications of a universe that may have no beginning or end.
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