Table of Contents
What is the inflationary universe theory?
The Inflation Theory proposes a period of extremely rapid (exponential) expansion of the universe during its first few moments. It was developed around 1980 to explain several puzzles with the standard Big Bang theory, in which the universe expands relatively gradually throughout its history.
What theory did Alan Guth propose?
cosmic inflation
Moving on to the SLAC Theory Group at Stanford University Guth formally proposed the idea of cosmic inflation in 1981, the idea that the nascent universe passed through a phase of exponential expansion that was driven by a positive vacuum energy density (negative vacuum pressure).
Is inflation theory proven?
The basic inflationary paradigm is accepted by most physicists, as a number of inflation model predictions have been confirmed by observation; however, a substantial minority of scientists dissent from this position. The hypothetical field thought to be responsible for inflation is called the inflaton.
How did Alan Guth Discover inflation?
As a result of quantum tunneling, the false vacuum would eventually decay into a low-energy true vacuum, and Guth found that the decay of the false vacuum at the beginning of the universe could produce some amazing results, including a rapid expansion at ever-increasing rates, which he called cosmic inflation.
What happens during the inflation period?
Inflation, the steady rise of prices for goods and services over a period, has many effects, good and bad. Inflation erodes purchasing power or how much of something can be purchased with currency.
How much did the universe expand during inflation?
According to inflation theory, during the inflationary epoch about 10−32 of a second after the Big Bang, the universe suddenly expanded, and its volume increased by a factor of at least 1078 (an expansion of distance by a factor of at least 1026 in each of the three dimensions), equivalent to expanding an object 1 …
What is Alan Guth’s theory about the beginning of the universe?
Alan Guth is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist, known mainly for his work on elementary particle theory and how particle theory is applicable to the early universe, and particularly for the idea, which he developed around 1980, of cosmic inflation and the inflationary universe, the idea that the nascent universe …