What if this isn’t the only universe? The concept of a multiverse is that our universe is just one of many, maybe even an unlimited universe, with different laws of physics, taking turns of ourselves, or even different realities.
This week I was diving deep into the science behind the multiverse. What does it mean? Could it be real? And importantly, can we ever prove it?
What Is the Multiverse
The multiverse is the concept of our universe is one of many universes that exist. If this is true this could mean:
🔹 There are limitless versions of our world, each a little bit different
🔹There may be universes with different physics, where atoms, time or space act different
🔹Our universe might’ve split into different realities every time an atomic event happened
Why Do Scientists Think the Multiverse Might Be Real?
- Big Bang Theory: If our universe became larger from a tiny point, what if other universes formed in the same way?
- Quantum Mechanics: Some explanations (like the Many-Worlds Interpretation) suggest that every possible event happens, making a collateral universe, just in different universes.
- Cosmic Inflation: The quick expansion of the early universe may have made multiple bubbles. Based on inflation theory, different regions might have been inflated into entirely different universes
Different Types of Multiverse Theories
There’s not only one multiverse theory, but there are several, and each one of them mind-boggling in their own way.
(Watch this video from PBS Space Time to see and listen on how they explain visually)
Bubble Universes (Inflation Theory)
1. The point that after the Big Bang Theory, that some parts of space kept getting bigger, making separate “bubbles”, each one a new universe
2. These universes could have different physics, meaning that life as we know it may not exist there
Many-Worlds Explanintation (Quantum Mechanics)
1. Every time an opinion or an unplanned quantum event happens, the universe separates into a different realities
2. This could mean, there could be multiversal selves of you living in another universe, each making different things happens
Braneworld Theory (Extra Dimensions)
1. This approach suggests that our universe is just a 3D surface (brane) drifting in a higher hyperspace
2. Other universes could be right next to us, but we literally can’t see or interact with the other universes
Could We Ever Prove the Multiverse Exists
As of right now, we can’t directly notice other universes, but scientists are looking for clues:
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB):
Some scientists think if our universe crashed into another one in the past, there might be a strange pattern in the Cosmic Microwave Background.
Black Holes & Wormholes:
Some theories put forward that black holes might be gateways to other universes. If we study them more, we might actually find proof
Particle Physics Experiments:
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is colliding particles together to see if extra dimensions exists, which could point to other universes
Want to Go Deeper?
Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Podcast – An amazing discussion on the Quantum Mechanics and Many-Worlds Interpreation
One Universe… or Infinite Realities
If the multiverse is real or just a beautiful theory, it challenges us how we see the world, and ourselves. It asks an important question of all: What is reality? And how much of it are we even able to know, until scientists find answers, stay interested!
What I Learned This Week
Looking at the multiverse pushed me to think beyond what I usually thought was ‘reality.” I learned that the concept of multiple universes isn’t ust sci-fi, but it’s taken seriously by a lot of scientists and rooted in real theories like quantum mechanics, cosmic inflation, and string theory.
I also learned that even without direct proof, science still studies the frameworks to understand the unknown. Ideas such as Many-Worlds, bubble universes, and extra dimensions aren’t just shot in the dark guesses, they’re ways to describe observations that don’t always fit within our understanding of physics.
Above all, I learned that multiverses aren’t just about other universes, but also a way to reflect our universe. It calls for questions about choices, possibilities, and how small events might lead to completely various outcomes, not just in theory but as well in life.