The countdown to the new destiny of the universe begins from now and will last for trillions of years. A possible fifth dimension launches another theory about what the end of the universe will be like. Until now, only four possible scenarios were considered but, with the passage of time and the advancement of science, it seems that other possibilities have been found.
Theories of the end of the universe
The first theory states that darkness will reign over the cosmos after the sun swallows everything in its path, including the Earth. The light will absorb all celestial bodies equally in a cloud of infinite light that will leave nothing but shadows.
The second theory, the big freeze, foresees the thermal extinction of the entire universe. Inert and cold remains will remain floating in the cosmos waiting to collide with other aimless bodies.
The third possibility is the great expansion of the cosmos until it explodes. Dark and mysterious energy is to blame for the accelerated growth of the universe that, sooner or later, could tear apart everything that lives in space.
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Finally, the fourth theory indicates that dark energy could—instead of growing—decrease over time, causing the universe to disappear into itself, in an effect contrary to the Big Bang. However, scientists have opened the doors to another theory about the origin and . Trying to find the answer to what dark energy is or what constitutes it, four researchers developed a new model that suggests the universe is on a bubble.
The cosmos would be positioned right on the edge of this enormous bubble that expands into a . The group of researchers from Uppsala University also considered that this theory is compatible with the framework of string theory.
What is string theory?
This scientist claims that subatomic particles (or electrons) are not a structureless point that lives in space, but rather a loop-shaped string that vibrates in a space-time that has more than four dimensions.
This means that the matter we see extends to all possible angles and is not one-dimensional, although until now we only know the three common spatial dimensions: width, height and depth.
Ours would be time, while the fifth dimension could be considered as this bubble in which the universe expands.
The fifth dimension and the end of the universe
In the bubble theory the need to explain the invisible existence of dark energy is eliminated. If we are in a bubble full of subatomic particles that extend into different dimensions, then a new possibility of the creation, evolution and end of the universe unfolds before us.
This theory is not yet 100% proven and is complex, but the possibilities that this fifth dimension exists are based on solid foundations. If the concept is applicable to reality, it is possible that theories about freezing, expansion, etc., will be discarded.
Imagining the possibilities of the end of the universe is an inexhaustible task. The finitude of our existence overwhelms us so much that we look for a consistent and secure answer about our emergence. The only purpose is to predict and, perhaps, avoid the end.
The end of the universe is something that will happen in a few billion years, so it would be best to focus on preserving what we have in front of us. The end of the Earth may be something more probable and less distant, since its balance hangs by a thread.
Discovering the end of the universe is an exciting and mysterious race, but let’s not forget that the machinery of the universe continues its course with or without us. The end of the universe will only mark our passage in time like a sigh in the universal order, so it will be better to enjoy now.