Dr. Stephen Hawkings Do you believe that all matter of this universe was created from absolutely nothing?

Question

I believe that something cannot be made from nothing only from particles smaller than itself. Isn't it more likely that Infinity is an ocean of particles too small for man to identify that come together to form larger and larger matter? I believe that a universe is like everything else in the universe and that it grows by taking in matter from outside.

Answer 1

We are yet to discover our understanding of matter and energy. The search for a smaller and less detectable is perhaps only a metaphor for inquiry reflecting our still feeble understanding of the Universe.

Answer 2

To answer the vacuum question... there is no such thing as a complete vacuum. Even in the deepest portions of outer space, there is about 1 particle per cubic meter. As a point, the space shuttle technically orbits the earth while still in the earth's atmosphere. There are so many particles per cubic meter at that altitude that they actually slow down the shuttles orbit which also explains why satellites eventually slow down and crash back to earth.

With regards to the universe being created from nothing, the first law of thermodynamics deals with the conservation of matter and energy and states that matter can be neither created nor destroyed. The exception is that matter can be converted into energy and visa versa. For example, you can burn a piece of wood to make heat and the tree used the process of photosynthesis (using light energy from the sun) to create that wood.

Many religious folks use / attack the first law of conservation while attempting to prove that God created everything. This is a red herring. Science is an incomplete body of knowledge that attempts to explain how the world around us works. It doesn't provide all the answers and therefore it seems pointless to try to use science to prove or disprove the existence of God.

Answer 3

I believe that the entire universe is made of particles, that continue to become smaller and smaller as we look closer and closer through technology. Further, the smaller we look (the greater magnification), the more energy we find bound to that particle (at lease on a per unit basis). If we could look and magnify small enough (and still see that particle moving at great speeds), at some point perhaps we could find the tiniest particle observable to us ... and then 100 years later, find that it is an entire universe of subparticles unto itself.

Whether this is from intelligent creation, Big Bang, or any other initial theory is irrelevant to the ideal above.

Answer 4

It always bothered me philosophically that the universe could have come into existence out of nothing; a random fluctuation of quantum foam, or so they say. However I think that it can be justified by the equation 1-1=0. This can also be stated as the combination of +1 and –1 each of which are real entities. In other words it’s okay for there to be a universe as long as there is also an anti- universe

Answer 5

Jennifer - matter was converted from energy - the simple E=mc(squared) equation provides some answers (Energy equals Matter amplified(mulitpilied) by the value of the speed of light (squared) - but again where does the energy come from should be your next question.

Is it multi-dimensional? Phasing in from another plane - like a bubble? self-generating among factors we have yet to observe/contemplate/understand??

What would cause this universal burp of energy to push through it this outwise void?

As usual, morer questions than answers - but over time (if you want to measure it that way) we will get closer.

One last point - you should be aware of the vastness of space within matter - it is not solid as you would think. One molecule could be compare to the space between the sun and the earth in scale and call it hydrogen atom.
Take care

Answer 6

Yeah, the universe has an origin. Either God created it, or the universe magically popped into existence from a timeless, dormant state of nothingness. One cannot give account to the billions of years BEFORE the "big bang" either.

Answer 7

I am surprised by how many people take this guy serious.
He worries about the f*ucking universe, yet he could not grasp how to prevent his body from becoming a useless shell.
He should have studied microcosm instead of worrying about macrocosm.
Next.

Answer 8

so your saying vacuum has some sort of particles?

does absolute nothingness exist?

want to consider a God?

Answer 9

God created everything and all of these have uses