RTC_Preprint_VictoriaThomas_July22_2026v2

The Residual‑Tension Creation Model (RTC) presents a cyclic cosmology in which the universe undergoes repeated phases of collapse and rebound. In this framework, dark matter is interpreted as persistent scar‑geometry imprinted during the collapse of a prior universe, while dark energy represents residual tension within the cosmic substrate that remains after the rebound event analogous to the Big Bang. RTC describes baryonic structures—stars, planets, and galaxies—as temporary formations embedded within this inherited substrate. Intersections between dark matter and baryonic matter generate instability points that accelerate stellar collapse and promote black hole formation. Black holes serve as catalytic nodes that feed the attractor core and contribute to the gestation of the next cosmic cycle. The rebound occurs when accumulated tension fractures the dark‑matter scar, producing rapid expansion and seeding early structure formation. RTC provides a unified interpretation of dark matter, dark energy, large‑scale flows, and cosmic rebirth, offering compatibility with creationist perspectives by framing the rebound event as the physical expression of divine initiation. The model presents a coherent, testable cosmology in which the universe retains memory across cycles through residual tension and scar‑matter geometry.