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Q:
I believe I understand the basics of the Big Bang Theory; as much as
any layperson does. I can appreciate that we measure time from that
point, though it escapes me why there isn't a "T minus 5, and
counting...."
My question though is: though all matter was formed out of the
Big Bang, with its gasses and gravities etc., where did the endless void
come from?
A:
Let us answer the
question implicit in your first paragraph. The reason there is no "T
minus 5 and counting" is because both space and time were created in
the instant of the Big Bang. So it does not make sense to talk about
the time before the Big Bang. Please remember however, that at the
very earliest times, we really have very little idea of what happened.
The laws of physics as we know them break down at a point of infinite
density (known as a "singularity"). We do have compelling experimental
data that shows us that the very early Universe was in a an extremely
hot, dense state. That takes us back to a tiny fraction of a second
after the Big Bang. But we don't know what happened earlier than that.
The definition of void is "containing nothing" or "not occupied." It
is an interesting philosophical discussion to think of where a void
comes from, but since by definition it is nothing, physics does not
address this question. Physics only deals with ideas and objects that
can be experimentally tested. If there is no matter, no energy, no
space and no time (this is a void in astrophysical terms), then there
is absolutely nothing for science to do.
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