How Has the Universe Expanded Over 13.7 Billion Years?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the expansion of the universe over the past 13.7 billion years, exploring the implications of dark energy and the potential for future contraction. Participants examine various theories regarding the rate of expansion and its historical changes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the extent of the universe's expansion over the past 13.7 billion years, seeking specific quantifications.
  • Another participant discusses the hypothetical nature of dark energy and suggests that the universe's expansion may eventually slow due to gravitational forces, potentially leading to a contraction and a cyclical model of the universe.
  • It is noted that many scientists believe the universe began to accelerate in its expansion approximately 7 to 8 billion years ago, with a request for more detailed information on the rates of expansion during that period and in the last 1 to 2 billion years.
  • A participant shares a link to an external resource that discusses the age of the universe and dark energy, indicating a potential avenue for further exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of dark energy and its implications for the universe's expansion, with no consensus reached on the specifics of the expansion rates or the future trajectory of the universe.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the structure of the universe and the nature of dark energy, which remain unresolved. The potential for future contraction and the implications of energy loss in a cyclical universe are also noted as areas of uncertainty.

Bjarne
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How much have the universe expanded the past 1 -2 - 3 - 4- 5 – 6 - 7-8 – 9 – 10 - 11- 12 to 13,7 billion year ?
 
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The existence of dark energy itself is hypothetical, so it would be impossible to quantify the energy properties of dark energy.

With regard to your question of the expansion of the universe, I believe any answer would rely upon supposing the very structure and form of the universe itself, there are theories that would argue the rate of expansion slows down because of gravitational forces acting upon the universe itself. At some point the universe would begin to contract upon itself much like a star and collapse, and the big bang cycle would start again.

Energy would be lost however and each subsequent collapse would yield a smaller universe, assuming the universe isn't infinite.
 
Most scientists believe that especially for about 7 to 8 billion years the universe begun to accelerate faster than expected.

Any ideas how much faster 7-8 billion years ago and how much for 1 to 2 billion years ago. Etc ?
 
You might find the following link of interest which looks at the age of the universe and dark energy-

http://preposterousuniverse.com/writings/skytel-mar05.pdf
 
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