Expanding Universe

[Khandro]

If the universe is expanding, which seems to be the case, what is it expanding in to?

[Old_Geezer]

Been asked before. It's not expanding into anything (by definition). Space is being created within it making it larger.

[ToraToraTora]

space is expanding as it goes.You have to suspend all normal logic to even think about this stuff. Current understanding has it starting as zero size and infinite density, big bang, expanding ever since. That's what the maths/observation shows.

[Khandro]

OG; //Space is being created within it making it larger.//

But there is an axiomatic pattern throughout nature and the universe as we know it, that nothing comes from nothing (Latin: ex nihilo nihil fit ) So why should this one case - space being created out of nothing- be outside of that underlying principle?

[Zacs-Master]

Because the underlying principle is wrong. In fact, it isn’t a principle for this instance. Jim will be along to explain how the more we discover about the universe, the more previously assumed (and even explained) principles become unsound.

[Zacs-Master]

See v-e’s post on this thread:
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Culture/Religion-and-Spirituality/Question1616964.html

[jim360]

Just woke up, too tired to answer properly.

Consider what it means for a spatially infinite Universe to be "expanding".

[nailit]

//Jim will be along to explain how the more we discover about the universe, the more previously assumed (and even explained) principles become unsound//

And Theland will be along to explain that God did it...

[Old_Geezer]

Is space a "thing" ?

Anyway particles come into existence out of nothing, and annihilate again, all the time.

[Zacs-Master]

You’ve let me down, man ;-)

[jim360]

Good things come to those who wait, ZM :P

[Khandro]

OG; //Anyway particles come into existence out of nothing//

Can you give an example please?

[Zacs-Master]

If it’s not possible to create something out of nothing, the universe must have existed for ever. And that’s a mighty long time, my friend.

[ToraToraTora]

all observations and the maths point to the current theory which is that it was indeed created out of nothing. If you subscribe to the big crunch theory then our universe is next in a succession of universes; big bang - crunch; repeat.

[rockyracoon]

I used to annoy my friend, who is a physics teacher, with this question. I don't bother asking anymore, as I just can't understand the answer. I just try to accept that I'll never understand, and move on.

[jim360]

Questions asked genuinely should never annoy.

Perhaps the following question will help (or just confuse even more):

"Are there fewer square numbers than there are whole numbers, or more, or exactly as many?"

[rockyracoon]

Is that a trick question?

[jim360]

Not necessarily, although it is related.

What do you think the answer is?

[rockyracoon]

Well, the logical me, says that there are less square numbers, than whole numbers. But, I'm sure you're going to hurt my brain with a different answer ;0)

[jim360]

Indeed, sorry :P

There are, in fact, exactly the same amount of square numbers as there are whole numbers. For every whole number you can find a square number that pairs along with it, and you never run out of whole numbers, so you never run out of square numbers either.

Mind = blown?

[rockyracoon]

I'm reaching for the ibuprofen......