PBS Space Time Season 2016 Episode 9 What's Wrong with the Big Bang Theory?

In this episode of PBS Space Time, the focus is on the Big Bang Theory and some of the issues that arise when using it to explain the origins of the universe. While the Big Bang Theory is the most widely accepted explanation for how the universe came to be, there are still many questions scientists have about the theory itself. This episode will explore some of those questions and try to provide answers.

One of the main issues with the Big Bang Theory is what's known as the horizon problem. According to the theory, the universe began from a single point and then rapidly expanded. However, this means that different parts of the universe should have different temperatures based on their distance from the initial point of expansion. Yet, observations show that the universe is remarkably uniform in temperature. This is where the horizon problem comes in, as it isn't clear how different parts of the universe could have ever had the chance to come to the same temperature.

Another issue with the Big Bang Theory is the existence of dark matter and dark energy. These are two unknown substances that scientists believe exist in the universe. Dark matter is thought to make up about 85% of the matter in the universe, but it doesn't interact with light in the same way that visible matter does, making it impossible to detect. Dark energy is thought to be responsible for the expansion of the universe, but its existence is still theoretical.

The episode also discusses the concept of inflation, which is the idea that the universe expanded very rapidly in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. While this theory has been supported by many observations, there are still some issues with it as well. For example, it predicts that the universe should have a certain amount of gravitational waves, but these have yet to be detected.

In addition, the episode explores some of the alternative theories to the Big Bang, such as the Steady State Theory and the Cyclic Universe Theory. While these theories were once considered as possible explanations for the origins of the universe, they have both been largely discredited by evidence gathered through observations.

Overall, "What's Wrong with the Big Bang Theory?" takes a critical look at one of the most widely accepted scientific theories and examines some of the issues that scientists have with it. While the Big Bang Theory has been incredibly successful in explaining many of the phenomena we observe in the universe, there is still much we don't know about the origins of the universe and the forces that control its behavior. This episode challenges viewers to think critically about our understanding of the universe and to continue to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.