inflationary universe theory

The inflationary universe theory suggests that in the very early moments after the Big Bang, the universe underwent an extremely rapid expansion, growing exponentially in size within fractions of a second. This rapid inflation explains why the universe appears so homogeneous and isotropic today—meaning it looks similar in all directions. It also helps address certain cosmic puzzles, such as the uniformity of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Essentially, inflation connects the chaotic beginnings of the universe to the large-scale structure and uniformity we observe now. This theory has significantly shaped our understanding of the cosmos.