- #36
Drakkith
Mentor
- 22,872
- 7,229
Hmm, is it that gravity holds things together AGAINST expansion, or is it that once enough mass is in a volume of space the gravity simply causes expansion NOT to occur at all?
The Raisin Bread Analogy Question is a thought experiment used to explain the concept of the expanding universe. It compares the expansion of the universe to the rising of raisins in a loaf of bread as the dough expands.
The Raisin Bread Analogy helps us understand that as the universe expands, galaxies and other objects within it are moving away from each other, similar to how raisins in a loaf of bread move away from each other as the dough rises.
While the Raisin Bread Analogy is a helpful visualization, it is not a perfect representation of the expanding universe. In reality, the expansion of the universe is happening in all directions, not just outward like the rising of dough.
The Raisin Bread Analogy can also be used to explain the possible fates of the universe. If the expansion of the universe continues to accelerate, it is said to have a "big rip" ending, where all matter will be torn apart. If the expansion slows down, the universe could eventually collapse in a "big crunch."
Yes, the Raisin Bread Analogy can be used to explain other concepts such as the movement of tectonic plates on Earth or the expansion of the solar system. It is a useful tool for visualizing and understanding processes that involve expansion or movement.