Change in the universe

Changes in the universe

The studies and researches in chemistry and phys
ics help us to understand the reality in a detail. Chemistry deals with the change in matter connected with the structure of atoms. We observe around us the variety of things formed due to chemical production and destruction. In a chemical reaction bonds are partially or fully broken and new bonds are formed and thus we have a wide   variety of products. The chemical changes happen in atoms due to the presence or partial absence of electrons. The growth of technology depends on the process of matter becomes material. In a chemical reaction the reactants need to overcome and energy barrier called activation energy to give products. If the energy barrier is zero the whole universe will witness constant creations and destructions and that will disturb the state of equilibrium in the universe. The reactants overcome the energy barrier in certain conditions and results in the formation of products. Except change everything undergoes change in this universe. Numerous changes are happening in the universe in each and every second. Even the emotions and the cognitive process in a person are the products of many chemical changes happening in the body. We come to a stage where we find it difficult to explain certain aspects of the reality like changes happening in this world. According to the big bang theory all the heavenly bodies are formed after the explosion. The explosion leads to expansion. The universe is still expanding. Subatomic particles came together and formed the small atoms and they in turn gave way to all the existing atoms in the universe. New elements are formed in the stars due to the higher temperature of fusion. Everywhere in the universe we see changes.

Here emerges an important question, “Why is there a chemical change?

The first law of thermodynamics states that “energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. But it can be transformed from one form to another.” According to this law both the creation and the destruction of energy in this universe is not possible but a change from one state to another is possible. We are in a world where we experience constant energy change. Atomic energy released in the sun is changed into different other forms of energy. A life without energy cannot be imagined. Life on the surface of the earth is supported by the constant energy changes happening in the universe.

 Here we need to answer one question,

Why is there a change of energy from one state to another? 

Change is defined as, to pass or to make something pass from one state or form to another. But we need to explain all the changes happening in the world. Why are there changes? Is it because of the unstable nature on matter? If it is so then which is the most stable form of the matter? We need to consider all the changes happening in the world. Modern science tries to define the process of change in the universe. Radioactive disintegration is defined as the process of attaining stability by unstable atoms by radiating energy. But modern science cannot give a convincing answer to the reason of the unstable nature of the matter which leads to a change. Metaphysics explains the process of change in this universe in a better way.

Every finite existent in the universe is made up of esse and essence.Esse is unlimited and essence which is the limiting principle. The esse is limited and determined by the essence. The limited esse results in finite existant.Finite existents are unique. Therefore we see unique individuals and materials around us. The activity proceeds from the esse which is unlimited. The nature of the finite existent is revealed by the activity of the existants .This can be explained that a tree can be understood by its fruits or a person can be understood by his actions. The activity and the existents are unique.

Activity is meant for the breaking of the limitations imposed by the essence on the esse. There is always an inherent tendency in the existent to overcome the limitation. It can be compared with the energy barrier to be overcome in a chemical reaction. An atom has a potentiality to take part in a chemical reaction and to give products. When the conditions are favorable the reaction occurs.

The finite existent is always active and it is evident in the act of questioning. Activity is a characteristic feature of the existent. Through activity the existent comes to be a new reality and activity helps the existent to realize itself. Here the potentials of the existent become actual and the possibilities are made real. Activity proceeds from a whole individual when the circumstances are conducive. There is a potentiality or capacity for water to change into any of the three states like gaseous, liquid and solid state. Carbon has a potentiality to take any of its forms like graphite, diamond, coal and nano tube .The form depends on the atmosphere and the conditions. A simple chemical reaction like the formation of ammonium sulphate from ammonia and sulphuric acid cannot happen in all circumstances but it requires certain temperature, pressure and the presence of some catalysts.

The essence has all the possibilities and the capacities that belong to the existent. Through the activity the possibilities are made real. The existent is now modified by the new reality. The activity results in changes in the existent. Every finite existent is by its very nature dynamic and it necessarily acts. Activity is the actualization of the various possibilities, capacities and potentialities of essence. There is always the possibility of a change. Change (coming to be) in general is any transition from one mode of being from another mode of being. In a change there will be a final state and initial state. When water is boiled it takes the gaseous state. Here the initial state is the liquid state and the final state is the gaseous state. Whatever undergoes a real, intrinsic change must be different in its terminal state from what it has in the  initial state yet there must be a common subject. Changes are divided into accidental change and substantial change. In an accidental change the substance remains the same and the accidents are changed. E.g. A man grows in height and weight. Here the accidents like color, weight and length of the person are changed. There is no change happening to the material priciple. In a substantial change the common subject of change is the material principle. This can be explained by taking the example of the formation of living cells in plants and animals. Plants absorb non-living water and minerals from the soil and they are converted into living cells. Transubstantiation is happening in the plants and the human body in each and every second.

You cannot step into the same river twice. Everything undergoes change in the universe. Everything in the universe longs for a perfection and stability. A man suffering from pain wants relief from pain. An electron in the excited state has to come down to the ground state to attain stability. There is a limiting principle in the universe that disturbs the perfection and the stability. Meantime each and every existent has a longing for perfection. The existent which is in the prison of imperfection always seeks to break the chains and to be free. The esse is unlimited but it is limited and determined by the essence. Activity proceeds from the esse to make it liberated from the clutches of the imperfection. Matter moves from one state of perfection to a higher level of perfection all the time. Hence there are constant changes happening in the universe.