PBS Space Time Season 2019 Episode 10 Could the Universe End by Tearing Apart Every Atom?

In season 2019 episode 10 of PBS Space Time, titled "Could the Universe End by Tearing Apart Every Atom?", the show explores the ultimate fate of the universe. The episode begins by discussing the two main possibilities for the end of the universe: the Big Freeze and the Big Rip.

The Big Freeze, also known as the heat death of the universe, is the idea that the universe will keep expanding until everything becomes so spread out that it is impossible for anything to interact with anything else. This means that the universe will become a cold, dark, and empty place. The Big Rip, on the other hand, is the idea that the expansion of the universe will accelerate to the point where it will eventually tear apart everything, including atoms themselves.

The episode then goes on to discuss the evidence for and against both scenarios. For the Big Freeze, the show explains how the ongoing expansion of the universe and the fact that it is accelerating support this theory. Additionally, the show explains how observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is leftover radiation from the Big Bang, also provide evidence for the Big Freeze.

However, the show also explores some of the problems with this theory, such as the fact that some recent studies have shown that stars and galaxies could continue to form even as the universe expands. The show also examines the possibility that dark energy, which is the mysterious force that is causing the acceleration of the expansion of the universe, could behave differently than current models predict.

Next, the episode delves into the Big Rip theory. The show explains how the idea of the Big Rip is based on the concept of dark energy, which is thought to be a kind of energy that permeates the entire universe and causes it to expand. If dark energy behaves in a certain way, then its effects could become stronger over time until the universe is torn apart.

The show then explores some of the evidence for and against the Big Rip theory. For example, the fact that the universe is expanding faster than expected could potentially be an indication that the Big Rip is more likely than the Big Freeze. However, the show also explains how the Big Rip is based on a somewhat speculative idea of dark energy that is not well understood, and that there is currently no direct evidence for it.

Throughout the episode, the show uses a combination of explanations, animations, and real-world examples to help viewers understand the complex concepts involved in understanding the end of the universe. The show also highlights some of the ongoing research that is being done to try to better understand these ideas, as well as some of the mysteries that still remain.

Overall, "Could the Universe End by Tearing Apart Every Atom?" is a fascinating exploration of some of the most fundamental and mind-bending questions in cosmology. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious about the fate of the universe, this episode is sure to provide plenty of food for thought.