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The Ultimate Fate of the Universe by Adam Kennedy and Emma Davidson

Scientists or cosmologists have come up with many theories concerning thatfate of our entire universe, but there are five in particular to talk about.

Big CrunchThis theory is based on density.

According to scientists, if the density is greater than the critical density,than the density will be large enoughto stop gravity. This causes the

Universe to retract and collapse onitself.

Big Rip

The theory known as the BigRip describes the Universe beingripped apart by the force of energy. As the density of the Dark Energy increases, galaxies withinthe Universe, disintegrate; leadingto the destruction of the entireUniverse.

Big Bounce/MultiverseThe Big Bounce is a little different from the other scenarios because

rather than the end being the obliteration of the Universe, it ends withthe rebirth of the Universe. It is said that when the universe collapses, it will immediately create a new Universe. The other theory that goesalong with this is the possibility that there is a infinite number of Universes.

Constant Expansion/Big FreezeThe theory of Expansion is based on

whether or not the Universe has a density less than the critical density or not. If itdoes, the Universe will expand forever.But as it expands, the temperature willdrop to the point of it freezing; this will

cause it to no longer be able to sustain life.This is the most widely accepted scenariothroughout the scientific community.

Heat DeathThis theory is the opposite of the

Big Freeze. When all of the energy is evenly distributed in theUniverse. When the Universe goesinto a state of maximum entropy;making it so it can no longer

sustain life.

What factors help scientist come up with the theories?Dark Energy Dark Energy is this stuff that takes up roughly 70

percent of the Universe. Scientist are not really sure what it is, but they are certain it has to do with theexpansion of the Universe. They believe depending onhow much Dark Energy there is, depends on how much the Universe will expand. They theorize that itis this mysterious dark energy that is speeding up theexpansion process by splitting apart galaxies.

What are the Theories?

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Density/Geometrical Shape of the UniverseScientists explain that if the pressure of matter is low, like

most matter, than the fate of the Universe, falls on density. If the density of the Universe is less than the critical density than it will expand forever and if the density is greater, it willcollapse on itself. So the density has quite a bit to do withsome of the theories. Density also helps scientist figure out what the shape of the universe is. If the density is greater, theUniverse is like a sphere, if the density is less, the shape iscurved and looks like a saddle, and lastly, if the density isequal to the critical density, it is flat like a piece of paper. Thiscreates a link between the geometrical shape of the Universeand its fate.

Expansion or contraction of the UniverseScientists look at the history of the Universe to

determine if it is more likely to continue to expandat tis rate or if it will begin to contract. If theexpansion continues because of the dark energy, itcould lead to the universe becoming so cold it willno longer sustain life or heating up so that it willno longer be able to sustain life. But if it contracts,it could lead to the collapsing of the Universe orthe disintegration of it.

The ImportanceScientists are curious to determine these theories because it has to do with the future of man kind

and the future of other species that may be out there. It is important to explore what is around us, nomatter how large.