is the universe infinite? how do you know? have you been where it ends? has it been proved?

Question

wouldn't it be a fallacy to affirm that it's infinite only because it is assumed to be infinite?

Answer 1

We can deduce that the universe is not infinite by the fact that it is expanding. At the time of the origin (call it the big bang, if you wish) there was a sudden abrupt expansion.

The universe cannot have had infinite mass, or no explosion would have been sufficient to overcome the gravity of the infinite mass and cause expansion. (The universe would have been like a black hole.)

Astronomical observations seem to have confirmed that there will not be a big crunch, with gravity eventually overcoming the expansion, and sucking everything back together into another primordial atom to explode again. So the universe does not have infinite mass. Knowing this, we can go on to make further deductions.

If there were infinite energy, the expansion would long since have gone to completion, and there would have been no other bodies near Earth, and we would not have been able to live here (with no sun, etc.)

We have covered matter and energy. What is left...? Some think that the universe is of infinite extent. We must remember that infinity is a mathematical concept, not a physical quantity. If a finite amount of matter and energy were spread throughout an infinite volume, we would have the same situation as mentioned earlier, we would be separated from everything else.

It does not seem that the universe is infinite in any way. Sorry.

Answer 2

The universe can not be infinite because in any infinite set all possible things must happen. This is based on if something has an extremely small possibility of happening but is given an infinite number of chances to occur then it must by definition occur somewhere. Working from this principle it can be assumed (and here is where I would expect the most dissention as all assumptions/postulates can be challenged) that there is a possibility that life outside of our own with the ability and desire to contact us is possible. And as we have never been in contact or encountered life outside of that found on Earth, then either the universe must not be infinite or there is no possibility of intelligent life anywhere in the universe. Even saying this, the universe is not exactly confined. It is constantly expanding and any attempt to find or test some boundary could inevitably just cause an expanse outward of the universe. So in the end, the universe while not infinite is large beyond comprehension and understanding and constantly expanding.

Answer 3

I do not believe that the universe is infinite. My reasoning for this is based primarily upon some fundamental laws of physics. We know that energy/matter cannot be spontaneously generated from nothingness and we also know that energy/matter can never completely be destroyed. This would imply that all that exists now is all that will ever exist. As such, the implication is that the amount of energy/matter in the universe is finite. Does this, however, mean that the universe necessarily has an end. Of that I am not certain. The Earth is curved in such a way that you could travel straight away from a point and then eventually wind up back at that same point. The universe may be similarly cureved. Unfortunately, this theory is a bit flawed in that it would also beg the question of what exists "outside" of the universe. This would be difficult to explain outside of hyper-dimensional theory. As humans, we are not equiped with the sensory comprehension to understand hyper-dimensional existance. I suggest that you read the book "Flatland" by Edwin Abott. This will give you a good idea of what I am attempting to explain here.

Answer 4

It has been proven that the universe is finite and expanding. Space, however, is infinite. That makes the most logical sense. Tell me how it might end. Is there a giant wall? What's beyond that wall? Maybe space is spherical. A sphere is infinite. Perhaps if you blasted off of earth and flew for billions of light years you would eventually arrive at earth again. Just like if you left Los Angeles and went in a straight line, you would eventually end up in Los Angeles again. Space is curved. Maybe space is an ocean and there is a celestial shore beyond it. We have to wonder about these things.

Answer 5

Right now, yes the universe is infinite. For the simple reason, no one else has proven the opposite. Even though there is talk about it not being infinite, I believe the most common theory that the universe is always expanding and also in a constant flux.

Answer 6

Sadly and contrary to all the "optimistic" posters, the universe is indeed a finite sphere. Read either of Stephen Hawking's "Physics for Dummies" books. The universe is expanding. That is a scientific fact. Something that is infinite cannot be expanding - by definition, it is already omnipresent.

Said differently, universe is either finite or infinite, but not both. Because it is finite, it cannot be infinite.

Keep-em coming.

Answer 7

The universe had no beganing and it will have no end!
Think about this if you think the world stated from nothing then after nothing there is still nothing therefore its easy to prove that something most exist either that be god or matter. No one knows what the universe stared with for real all they have is their theories.

Answer 8

Most scientists believe that the universe is NOT infinite. They can't prove this, but they have their reasons – abstruse scientific ones.

Answer 9

yes the universe goes on and on.astronomers have gather much data on the universe and stars are visible mant light years fom earth.GOD is out there in the vast areas of space.i beleive HE made the universe neverending just as those people who beleive in GOD will have eternal life. that also is never ending.