expansion of the universe

[eltelioni]

I have some knowledge of Physics but I am perplexed by this. If space itself is expanding and this causes the galaxies to move apart, why doesn't the Moon move away from the Earth? Why isn't our galaxy being stretched? Why don't the component parts of my wine glass get stretched out? In resisting the expansion, are these things doing work and if so, where is the energy coming from?

[jake-the-peg]

The space between the Earth and the moon is infintessimally small compared to the distance between galaxies, you could never see it at such scales.

As for the energy required and work done, you are trying to apply the rules of physics that operate within our Universe to the Universe as a whole and that is not necessarilly valid.

For example in the Early Inflationary period the rate of the Universe's expansion was greater than the speed of light.

The rules inside the Universe are not necessarilly the same for the Universe itself

[nix-j-c]

my question on whats outside the universe may give oyu some clues.

erm havent got the link but i posted it a few hours before this was.

[vascop]

The point about this is that its NOT the galaxies themselves which expand, but space. So the galaxies move apart because the space between them is expanding
have a look here:
http://www.7stones.com/Homepage/Publisher/GR.h tml

[Scarramouch]

The universe is expanding due to the energy expended from the original big bang. The moon IS moving away from the earth at an infinitessamal rate. This is due to the energy expended from an early asteroid impact on the earth, at which point the moon was broken away from the earth. It will also be influenced by the gravitational pull of other objects influenced by the big bang. Our solar system and galaxy IS expanding along with the rest of the universe. Your wine glass was not subjected to either of these events.