If the Universe is the totality of all things that exist then what is it expanding into?

Answer 1

It is expanding into a bigger universe.

Answer 2

"Expanding" is a faux term in this case. It's at least as faux as faux pie.

It's not the boundary of the universe that's expanding; it's the space which composes the universe. There is a tension between the space and the matter of the universe: all space wants to expand but the matter absolutely refuses to expand.

Since the matter refuses to expand and the space insists on expanding we see things rushing away from us. Distant galaxies are rushing away from us. No, they're not. Yes, they are; because the redshift tells us they are. But you got to remember one thing, maybe two: The universe being infinite, was no less infinite yesterday than it is today.

To put it another way, there is no expansion of the universe per se, but there is expansion going on and it is the expansion of nothing; and we would never notice the expansion of nothing except that something (matter) is not expanding -- this allows us to notice.
Not only is space expanding in all directions, it does not care how much matter there is, or how much gravity there is.

Just as you would be weightless at the center of the Earth (sitting safely in a depressurized cabin), so too are you weightless in space no matter now much matter the universe contains. Regardless how great the scalar value is, if the vector value is zero you have weightlessness.

Here's a question to ponder. This question relates not to the expansion of space, but to the converse situation. We know what is happening to space, it's expanding... this question is in regards to the issue, what is happening to matter (and both issues are interwoven).

So, have a look at this question:
The energy that binds together the nucleus of the atom: where does it come from, and how is it derived? (Two-part question.) And part B of the answer must take the form of an equation and include a time expression.

In connection with the above question keep in mind three things:
(1) matter cannot be created; it is derived from another form.
(2) the energy that binds together the nucleus of the atom is the greatest force in the universe.
(3) Einstein's "energy equals mass times the speed of light squared."

In conclusion: The redshift tells us that space is "expanding." What is matter doing?

Answer 3

It's expanding into itself like a bunch of tubas scattered about. In the past, the universe was considered to be flat and infinite. Now, new investigation postulates that the universe is not growing and that this is a man made myth. I can buy this better than an ever ending and never ending terrian of nothing at all. I would love to expound at it for a while, but it would take too much time and I have little of that; hence, I am proving Einstein's theory of relativity. He shocked the world with scientific theories and even had evalution and authentication to back it up. If I was having a great time, for instance, time would fly by. But, I have to finish cleaning and it's going to lenghtly time wise.

Answer 4

I'd rephrase the statement. The universe is expanding because all parts of the universe are getting farther apart from each other. It doesn't need to expand "into" anything, since there is probably nothing outside of the universe (not even empty space, which is, in fact, something). We're just getting more space between all parts of the universe.

Answer 5

Who ever said that our universe is the only universe? Besides there are many theories and the most probable one is the membrane theory. The membrane theory says that there is a fourth dimension and that every universe resides within this universe. This dimension is a never ending tube and is only a fraction of an inch wide. The universes move within this dimension and new ones are formed when universes collide. When a universe gets too big it collides with another one and a new universe is formed. This theory states that every universe has different laws of phisics and that the idea of parallel universes could be true since the laws of physics could all be backwards. This theory explains the big bang theory because all of the universes are floating, flexing, balls, when they collide, there is an explosion at each contact point forming galaxies.

Answer 6

I prefer to think of the universe as an infinitely expanding balloon. Before air is blown into a balloon, it is quite small and kind of flattened. It is still however, the entire balloon. No rubber or other expandable material will be added to it after it is originally made in order for it to expand, as it has the capability to stretch on its own. As more air goes in, the inner "universe" expands, but the actual balloon is still the same amount of material. Depending upon the amount of stretchable material that the balloon has to begin with, the inner "universe" could indeed expand to incredible proportions. So, it is actually expanding into itself!

Answer 7

If somebody goes on putting weight and putting weight he or she would still continue to the same he or she that is or was.Similarly the Universe is only becoming fatter and fatter.Despite all the new suns and stars appearing they are extensions of already existing ones and not qualitatively different. As the primordial nebula burst(or as the Hindu Brahman,tired of His lonliness decided to become many) it has gone on expanding. There is no evidence of existence of another nebula and their colliding together so that the expanded mass could be anything different.

Answer 8

I'd say that we're expanding into something beyond, whether it's part of the same dimensions of this universe or other dimensions of this universe I don't know. See Stephen Hawkings' books he has some interesting theories about the shape of the universe.

Answer 9

Safety

Answer 10

Obviously, nothing. At least until it hits another universe, and then things might get interesting.