Scientists at Vanderbilt University in the US calculated that according to a new model of fluid dynamics which departs from the earlier "ketchup" theory, the explosion of the earth is unavoidable.
The new findings indicate that Earth could explode, along with the rest of the universe, in as soon as 22 billion years, according to the new theory, which makes possible the "Big Rip" scenario in which the universe is pulled apart from the inside as it expands. The new theory also allows for a model of the universe which does not include "dark energy," a theorized substance which drives the accelerating expansion of the universe.
"In previous models with viscosity the Big Rip was not possible. In this new model, viscosity actually drives the universe toward this extreme end state," Robert Scherrer of Vanderbilt University said.
The existing Big Rip theory is based on the idea that dark energy does exist, although the new theory allows for a model of the expanding universe without its existence. Using the new theory, the earth could explode and individual atoms could break apart in as soon as 22 billion years. According to other scientists, however, the Sun will swallow up the Earth when it becomes a Red Giant, which could happen as soon as 7.6 billion years from now.
Another scenario, called the "Big Freeze," predicts that in around 100 trillion years, gases in the universe would become too thin for new stars to form.
Previous models focused on the "heat death" theory, in which the universe becomes unable to generate enough heat to support life as a result of all energy turning into heat which is then evenly distributed.
