Related papers: Reconsidering the horizon problem
Spacetimes with horizons show a resemblance to thermodynamic systems and it is possible to associate the notions of temperature and entropy with them. Several aspects of this connection are reviewed in a manner appropriate for broad…
We conjecture a novel Generalized Second Law that can be applied in cosmology, regardless of whether an event horizon is present: the generalized entropy increases monotonically outside of certain hypersurfaces we call past Q-screens. A…
The Friedmann equations of general relativity can be derived from the first law of thermodynamics when the entropy of the apparent horizon of a spatially isotropic universe is given by the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. We point out that if…
Astrophysical observations provide a picture of the universe as a 4-dim homogeneous and isotropic flat space-time dominated by an unknown form of dark energy. To achieve such a cosmology one has to consider in the early universe an…
A framework was recently introduced to generalize black hole mechanics by replacing stationary event horizons with isolated horizons. That framework is significantly extended. The extension is non-trivial in that not only do the boundary…
One of the questions in the cosmology courses is the cooling mechanism of cosmic fluid during it expansion according to classical concepts of the thermodynamics. In this short pedagogical paper, we quote the questions and give a natural…
The basic hypothesis of a post-Copernican Cosmological theory is that {\em all the points} of the Universe have to be essentially equivalent: this hypothesis is required in order to avoid any privileged {\em observer}. This assumption has…
The generalized second law of thermodynamics for a system containing a black hole dynamical horizon is proposed in a covariant way. Its validity is also tested in case of adiabatically collapsing thick light shells.
We treat a quantum mechanical system with certain general properties which are expected to be common in macroscopic quantum systems. Starting from a PURE initial state (which may not describe an equilibrium) in which energy is mildly…
The concept of the space-time as emerging in the world phase transition, vs. a priori existing, is put forward. The theory of gravity with two basic symmetries, the global affine one and the general covariance, is developed. Implications…
One of the main drawbacks of standard cosmology, known as the horizon problem, was until now thought to be only solvable in an inflationary scenario. A delayed Big-Bang in an inhomogeneous universe is shown to solve this problem while…
In this paper, we study a big bounce universe typified by a non-singular big bounce, as opposed to a singular big bang. This cosmological model can describe radiation dominated early universe and matter dominated late universe in FRW model.…
In the context of a homogeneous universe, we note that the appearance of aggressively expanding advanced life is geometrically similar to the process of nucleation and bubble growth in a first-order cosmological phase transition. We exploit…
The 2nd law of thermodynamics is used to shed light on present-day puzzles in cosmology. The universal law, given as an equation of motion, describes diverse systems when consuming free energy via various mechanisms to attain stationary…
The Kalam cosmological argument, of a metaphysical nature, asserts that the universe had a first cause. This study examines the compatibility of its premises through a bibliographic review of advancements in contemporary physics. Quantum…
In the present work we show that the second law of thermodynamics does not generally hold if the matter and gravitational fields are nonminimally coupled. We demonstrate this result by explicitly computing the evolution of the entropy of…
It is commonly stated that we have entered the era of precision cosmology in which a number of important observations have reached a degree of precision, and a level of agreement with theory, that is comparable with many Earth-based physics…
The early universe provides an opportunity for quantum gravity to connect to observation by explaining the large-scale structure of the Universe. In the group field theory (GFT) approach, a macroscopic universe is described as a GFT…
We analyze spacetimes with horizons and study the thermodynamic aspects of causal horizons, suggesting that the resemblance between gravitational and thermodynamic systems has a deeper quantum mechanical origin. We find that the observer…
In the Cadassian universe, one can explain the acceleration of the universe without introducing dark energy component. However, the dynamical equations of this model can not be directly obtained from the action principle. Recently, works on…