What Happens When Space-Time Reaches the Speed of Light?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of space-time expansion in the universe and its relationship to the speed of light. Joe questions whether space-time can reach the speed of light and what implications that would have, such as the potential for a new Big Bang. A participant clarifies that space-time can expand faster than light, as this expansion does not constitute movement through space but rather an increase in the fabric of space itself. This distinction is crucial for understanding cosmic phenomena.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity and its implications on space-time.
  • Familiarity with the concept of cosmic expansion and the Big Bang theory.
  • Knowledge of the speed of light as a cosmic speed limit.
  • Basic grasp of the difference between speed and expansion in cosmological contexts.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of general relativity on cosmic expansion.
  • Explore the concept of dark energy and its role in accelerating universe expansion.
  • Learn about the observable universe and how distant galaxies recede due to space expansion.
  • Study the physics of the Big Bang and theories surrounding potential future cosmic events.
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Astronomers, physicists, and anyone interested in cosmology and the fundamental laws governing the universe's expansion.

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alrighty brainiacs... I love all this stuff but I'm still a newbie. I was watching a show on the Science Channel which stated that our Universe is not only expanding, but accelerating infinitely. Old news, I know. So, a question popped into my head. Maybe this is simple and I just don't get it. Hope I can explain it.

okay.. here goes..

If the Universe (space-time) is accelerating infinitely, what happens when the speed of space-time itself reaches the speed of light, which is in theory the fastest thing going?

Does everything go haywire and start a new big bang? Or can the speed of accelerating space-time actually reach the speed of light at all?


- Joe
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
<mindblow>
Spacetime itself can expand "faster than the speed of light" because the expansion isn't a speed. Nothing can go through space faster than light, but spacetime isn't going through itself, it's expanding - different thing, different laws of nature apply. Relative to us, some of the distant galaxies that we can see are "receding faster than light". Actually it isn't their motion, it's the space between us expanding.
</mindblow>
 
See? I knew I came to the right place. Pretty bizarro stuff. Thanks!
 

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