Young Universe, please help

Question

Which is the most accepted theory about the first cosmic inflation?

What does it say?

I've heart lots of things, so I don't know which one should I believe, the most "proper" seems to be the one that talks about the negative pressure and the Higgs field, but I don't really understand it, so if anyone can explain it in the most easily way possible (i know there's not an easy way, but please the easiest).

Thanks for helping!!

Answer 1

One of the easier to cope with analogies is that, as the Universe cooled, it underwent a phase transition, much as water turns to ice. This seems to have changed the way space works, leading to inflation. And from there, it gets hairy again.  One interesting feature of this is that it seems possible that at the heat death of the Universe, 10^120+ years from now, the Universe may undergo another such phase transition, which would lead to a new Universe. It isn't known if the imprint of the old Universe leaves any mark on the new one, but there is such an idea, and it may be testable in the data from the next generation Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation imaging satellite.

Answer 2

A theory I've heard put forth (and nearly killed) is that the mass in the early universe was so dense, that when it cooled *enough* to start forming particles, the particles pushed the edges of the universe *out* faster than the speed of light.  One scientist said, "in our universe, the speed of light is the limit.  But pushing the border was rushing into something that may not have had the same limit."    As the matter-density subsided, the inflation did as well.  

I'm not sure I buy it... but there it is.  

Answer 3

I like suitti's answer.  Personally I've decided I don't care a lot about the first instants of the big bang.  It was very long ago and I doubt if my brain is up to the job of comprehending such energies.  It evolved to hunt on the plains of Africa.  It may be capable of much more, but that involves work and I avoid that like a cat avoids water.