Expanding Space: Exploring the Possibilities

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of space and its creation and destruction. The speakers question how space can be created if it is not an object with mass or energy, and suggest the possibility of dark energy or vacuum energy being responsible. They also consider if space can be destroyed and if its creation rate has changed since the big bang. The idea that space itself is made of energy is also brought up.
  • #1
Rubix
19
0
I don't really understand how this makes sense. Space, in my mind, cannot be created nor destroyed. It just is there, and always will be there, maybe it can be stretched, but it is there. But apparently space can be created? How is this possible? Space isn't really an object, has no mass, energy, nothing. But it just appears? Something must make it appear, but what? Maybe its dark energy? Where is space created? Is it completely random or is it created somewhere specific? If space can be created, then can it be destroyed? Is space being created at the same rate that it did at the big bang? if not, what slowed it down?
 
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  • #2
How do we know it isn't something? Space contains vacuum energy, so is it not possible that it also is made of some form of energy?
 
  • #3
vacuum energy? a vacuum is space with nothing in it.
 

1. What is expanding space?

Expanding space refers to the concept that the universe is constantly expanding, meaning the distance between galaxies and other cosmic objects is increasing.

2. How do we know that space is expanding?

Scientists have observed that galaxies are moving further apart from each other over time, as well as the redshift of light from distant galaxies, which indicates that they are moving away from us.

3. What is causing space to expand?

The leading theory is that the expansion of space is driven by dark energy, a mysterious force that counteracts the gravitational pull of matter and causes the universe to expand at an accelerating rate.

4. Will space continue to expand forever?

There is currently no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the amount and properties of dark energy. Some theories suggest that the expansion may eventually slow down or even reverse, causing a "Big Crunch" where the universe collapses back in on itself.

5. How does expanding space affect the objects within it?

On a large scale, expanding space does not have a noticeable effect on objects within it. However, it may play a role in the formation of new galaxies and the evolution of the universe. On a smaller scale, objects in our own galaxy are not affected as they are bound together by gravity.

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