The
focus of the fourth chapter of this book is the start and expansion of the
massive Universe. The origin of the big bang theory is explained. The second
law of thermodynamics is used to describe the concept of the Universe’s “heat
death”. The process allowing stars to generate energy is explained. Lastly, black
holes are briefly mentioned.
Cosmology
is the study of the origin and end of the Universe. In the 1920s, Edwin Hubble
discovered that the Universe was expanding. The combination of Hubble’s
discovery and Einstein’s theory of relativity proved that the Universe had a
beginning, because it was expanding. This beginning is labelled as the big bang.
The
possibility of the Universe dying is a topic widely discussed. One theory
states that the Universe will end in a “heat death” when all useful energy has
been depleted and transferred into forms that are not useful. This theory is
caused by the second law of thermodynamics, stating that the entropy (or
disorder) of an isolated system will always increase.
(above) When the gas only occupies the left side,
the system has relatively low entropy. As the system’s entropy increases, the
gas expands. Can you imagine what would happen if energy was dispersed over an
infinitely large area? Would there be an useful energy for life?
Stars
generate energy by converting light elements such as hydrogen into heavier
elements such as helium. This process creates an immense amount of entropy and
releases energy into the space. Space is not overheated by the stars because it
is constantly expanding. Therefore, space is not a closed system.
A
black hole is defined as the final state of clumping due to gravity. It is
created by a massive object collapsing into itself.
(above) A portrayal of a black hole. Objects that
fall into a black hole can never escape due to the immense force.
Bibliography
Davies, Paul, and John Gribbin. The Matter Myth. New York: Orion Productions, 1992. Print
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