Dark Energy: Does It Affect All Space?

[Tea Jay]

Every point everywhere, including inside the Earth would be expanding.

And who says it hasn't played a role in the universe? It is responsible for the accelerating expansion, I'd say that's quite a big role, even if it might not have played a big role in the early universe.

If every point, including inside the earth, were expanding, would the Earth be expanding as well? I'm assuming that due to the presence of gravity, etc, that we would not be able to measure this, but if the "fabric with the grid we're all drawn on" is expanding, that should include everything.

If the graph paper we are using for the analogy is drawn onto spacetime fabric, that has grids that are governed by local gravitational forces for example, as opposed to a logarithmic or linear rule, etc - Then the grid is influenced by all of the involved factors...but perhaps approaching zero impact for the Earth itself.

So, the impression I have is that the effect is universal, but the scale of the impact is highly variable.

 

[Drakkith]

If every point, including inside the earth, were expanding, would the Earth be expanding as well? I'm assuming that due to the presence of gravity, etc, that we would not be able to measure this, but if the "fabric with the grid we're all drawn on" is expanding, that should include everything.

No, as gravity is pulling everything together. Think of it as a massive force pulling everything into itself, and a much smaller force pushing outwards. The massive pulling force wins out. It might be 0.000000001% weaker, but it still overwhelmingly dominates.

Edit: Also, let's be clear. Are you asking about the Earth EXPANDING, or simply being slightly larger than it is without expansion but a static size?

 

[korben dallas]

If every point, including inside the earth, were expanding, would the Earth be expanding as well? I'm assuming that due to the presence of gravity, etc, that we would not be able to measure this, but if the "fabric with the grid we're all drawn on" is expanding, that should include everything.

If the graph paper we are using for the analogy is drawn onto spacetime fabric, that has grids that are governed by local gravitational forces for example, as opposed to a logarithmic or linear rule, etc - Then the grid is influenced by all of the involved factors...but perhaps approaching zero impact for the Earth itself.

So, the impression I have is that the effect is universal, but the scale of the impact is highly variable.

Everything except matter expands!