OT: What is the Universe Expanding into?

Fyron · #1 February 11th, 2004, 03:46 AM

It is expanding into the vastness of the infinite void of space surrounding the matter and energy of the universe. The universe itself is infinite and not changing in size. It is just the matter and energy portions of the universe that started moving out after the big bang that are expanding.

Taz-in-Space · #2 February 11th, 2004, 04:17 AM

Quote:

The universe itself is infinite and not changing in size.

Hmmm, how do we know this? I thought that the truly infinite is unprovable mathematically.

Imagine a vast empty plain with a tiny ant somewhere near the center.
TO THAT ANT the plain MAY BE infinite, but a man might be able to get to the edge. It may just be that our perspective is too small - Temporally and Spacially.

Fyron · #3 February 11th, 2004, 04:36 AM

How could there be an edge to nothingness?

Taz-in-Space · #4 February 11th, 2004, 04:56 AM

Quote:

How could there be an edge to nothingness?

Well, that is difficult to imagine I agree!

Using another analogy, why does the air on Earth NOT expand throughout the solar system? Because of gravity!! Perhaps there is a mechanism that will halt the expansion of the universe the same way. WE JUST DO NOT KNOW!!!

Fyron · #5 February 11th, 2004, 04:58 AM

I think you are confusing terminology... "the universe" includes everything, really. But, it is often used just in reference to the mass and energy of the universe that is expanding. Used to refer to everything, including the void that said mass and energy is expanding into, implies that the universe itself is incapable of changing size, as it is an infinite void.

If gravity were to cause the mass and energy of the universe to eventually start contracting again, the universe itself would still have that infinite sized void out there.

[ February 11, 2004, 02:59: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

Taz-in-Space · #6 February 11th, 2004, 05:14 AM

I just have an aVersion to the whole concept of infinity. No one has ever been able to point to anything and PROVEN that it is infinite. Even the value of pi is not PROVEN to be an infinitely non-repeating variable!

So since there is no proof of ANYTHING being infinite; using infinite to describe the 'empty void' outside our universe is pure quesswork.

For all we know, our 'universe' may be about to 'bump-up against another 'universe'!

Phoenix-D · #7 February 11th, 2004, 05:27 AM

How the !@%$ could you prove infinity? In the real world at least?

Here, I can now prove to you that something is infinite. Tell me any number. No matter how large that number will ALWAYS have a number larger than it and no matter how tiny it will always have another smaller.