The Universe is expanding - into what exactly?

Question

If I blow up a balloon, it expands due to the increased pressure within it, but it expands into space full of air that is readily compressible. So what doe the universe expand into? Whats outside that is allowing it to expand.

Answer 1

Good question. The simple answer is that science doesn't know because science isn't sure if the universe has an "edge." It could wrap around on itself, it could be infinite, or it could be something else we haven't even thought of yet...

Expanding is not the best word to describe the phenomenon. It's more along the lines of stretching. The best explanation I have read, which I will not attempt to feebly paraphrase, is here: http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=274

I hope that link helps.

Answer 2

You already know that the expansion of the universe is not like blowing up a balloon. In fact, the way the universe expands is not like anything else we have seen in nature.

The space itself is moving.

If two apples were on a table. It would not be the apples that were moving apart. The apples would be more or less in a fixed state. It would be the space between them that is moving and growing larger.
So it is not objects expanding into another space. The space itself is expanding.

As far as what is expanding it. It is assumed that it is caused by dark energy. Energy potentials depend on matter to form never ending energy links which open up new space.

Dark energy does the oppisite of gravity. It pushes apart while gravity tries in vain to hold it together.

Answer 3

There is nothing Beyond the Universe so I suppose it could be said that it's expanding into nothing.

Beyond the universe there are no dimensions such as space and time so it is absolutely nothingness. Its the same as what was before the universe - nothing. space and time had their origin in the Big Bang. Well that's the theory but to be honest I suppose it's like the question of God nobody can say for sure.

Answer 4

If the Universe is expanding into nothingness, then how does it do that?
If by nothingness, we define "not our Universe", then how many dimensions has nothingness, and how can we know that?
If nothingness has no dimensions, how can our dimensional Universe expand into a non-dimensional inexistence?
And is our Universe expanding, or are we interpreting measured data incorrectly? If it is expanding, we don't know if its expanding at a constant rate, if its a slowing down or quickening up kind of expansion.
"Into what exactly" seems to be pretty difficult to know. Can you ask us an easier question? But then again, are we sure there are easier questions?

Answer 5

Yes there must be something beyond the universe that's allowing it to expand- I believe this is where the answers lie to all existence. But we will never truly know because its a mystery. May be its expanding to a point where it will no longer be able to get bigger- it will reverse in to the so called "Big crunch". I just wish we knew the truth!

Answer 6

Thats the thing, its expanding into nothingness. Think of it this way, the universe is compose up of a lot of matter. Outside of the universe there is absolutely nothing. No matter, no nothing (excuse the bad grammar) Thats one of the biggest debates to day, is whether the universe will keep on expanding forever, or if it will stop, or if will act like a yo-yo and shrink back in upon itself

Answer 7

First of all a balloon isn't the universe, so poor example. The universe is expanding into an infinite vacuum.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as outside the universe. The concept that the universe has a beginning and an end is purely human because everything we know has a beginning and an end. The universe has apparently more complex dimensions that cannot be defined or understood with our present knowledge.

Answer 9

most people assume the edge of the unierse has a clear defined border, like where a lake meets the shore but its more gradual than that. outside the universe there is no matter, energy or time and its into this nothingness the universe expands.
It expands by becoming looser and this is why we need blackholes to button it togeather (excuse the anaolgy).

Answer 10

Hey, this is a really good question!!
The answer is (if you trust the framework, the context, of the question) that it isn't "expanding" as such. Its really just getting getting bigger, ie making more of itself.
Hard concept I know, but the only one that makes sense according to the rules of the paradigm you have accepted when asking the question.
A mediveal theologian would answer differently.
A renaissance man would tell you that space is just being discovered, like America was discovered. It is not making itself at all.
We are merely "uncovering" more of it as it were.
You pays your money and you takes yer choice!

Answer 11

Great question..
Despite the apparent consensus of scientific opinion
that the universe has no "boundry" per se between its own
outside edge and the nothingness it must be expanding into,
this seems to defy logic which lends credence to the validity
of your question to which, unfortunately , I do not have an answer.