Theories about the Origin of the Universe

Big Bang Theory

The big bang theory is the best explanation of the origin of the universe and is implicitly
accepted. It is said that the universe began as very hot, small and dense with no stars, atoms, form, or
structure called singularity and then expanded over time until it reach its peak (may be perceived as a
massive explosion for some) around 13.7 billion years ago (considered to be the age of the universe).
The big bang model asserts that seconds after the explosion, the surroundings were at a high
temperature of about 5.5 billion degrees Celsius and the creation of particles such as neutrons,
electrons, protons. Then space expanded quickly which led to the creation of stars and galaxies. The
universe still expands today but it gets colder.
Steady State Theory
The steady-state theory is an alternative to the big bang model of the evolution of the universe.
This theory states that the density of matter in the expanding universe remains unchanged. Because of
this state, matter is continuously created to form cosmic or celestial bodies such as stars and galaxies.
This theory further states that the universe has no beginning or end in time, and even though it is
expanding, its appearance remains the same over time.
Although this theory enjoyed some popularity in the mid-20th century, it is rejected by most
cosmologists, astrophysicists, and astronomers.
Cosmic Inflation Theory
Cosmic inflation theory is a theory of exponential expansion of space in the early universe. It
continuous to expand, but at a less rapid rate. This was proposed by physicists Alan Guth and Andrei
Linde in the 1980's. The early universe was a rapidly expanding bubble of pure vacuum energy with no
matter or radiation. After the expansion and cooling arising from this inflation, the potential energy
converted into kinetic energy of matter and radiation. Then, a big bang occurred because of the
extremely hot, dense condition of matter. The cosmic inflation theory became an accepted hypothesis
because it answered many puzzling observations that arose in the big bang theory.
Nebular Hypothesis
The nebular hypothesis was developed by Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and Pierre-Simon
Laplace (1749-1827) in the 18th century. Its model explained the formation and evolution of the solar
system. It presupposes that around 4.5-4.6 billion years ago, a star system was formed from a rotating
gas cloud or nebula of extremely hot gas. When the gas is cooled, the nebula began to shrink, and as it
became smaller, it rotated faster forming a disk like shape which later on makes the sun and the planets
that revolves around it.
The Planetesimal and Tidal Theories
These theories were developed by Thomas Chamberlin (1843-1928) and Forest Moulton (18721952) during the early 20th century, and James Jeans (1877-1946) and Harold Jeffreys (1891-1989) in
1918 respectively. In both theories, a star supposedly passed close to the sun. The gravitational pull of
the passing star raised tides found on the surface of the sun. Some of this erupted matter was detached
and plunged into elliptical orbits around the sun. Some of the smaller masses quickly cooled to become
solid bodies called planetesimals. Others grew in size because of collision with passing objects in
space, eventually forming larger clumps and gathering more and more matter. These theories are also
backed up by old meteorites found on Earth, chemically dating back 4.56 billion years; the time
approximated to be the formation of the solar system.