If the universe contains everything, and its constantly expanding, what is it expanding into?

Answer 1

Thanks for the question. As it appears, the way you state the question is faulty. "If the universe contains everything" - according to the rest of your question, it contradicts itself. If the universe contains everything then it would be impossible for the universe to be continually expanding because it will be expanding into "something" which is beyond the boundaries of the universe. Therefore, according to this train-of-thought, the universe "must not" contain everything since there is a dimension that it is expanding into beyond the universe's dynamic framework.

So to answer your question - "what is it expanding into." That is a philosophical question. I believe that "light" holds a very important role in answering this question. The fastest moving thing in the universe, observed thus far by mankind, is light. The sun radiates light as do stars and such... which constitutes the light in the universe. Now the boundary of the universe, in every direction must be "light" because it is the fastest moving thing in the universe. I imagine light propogating in every direction illuminating the universe and actually being the threshold - which no living being can cross because who can move faster than light - perhaps God?

So if light acts as the boundary of our limited universe then what does that mean for the outside of the universe...the places light has yet to of reached? It would be my guess that since time, which is a dimension interwoven with space, and since space-time may possible not yet "exist" outside of light (as one approaches the speed of light their time relative to our present time is changed, "mathematical equations prove this.") It seems strange but true ... if one actually moves the speed of light than they would experience "infinite time"? according to our perspective of time on earth. Now what the heck, this throws a wrench into the philosophical question! Think of it like this, and this is one crazy thought ... if you exists at the conception of the universe and moved with light (speed of light), than your time perspective would encompass "all of my time on earth including the span of the time of the universe." You don't believe me? If you recall from astronomy .... if someone were to fall in a black hole we would never actually see them fall in because as they approach the entrance of the black hole the move closer and closer to the speed of light. The person from our vantage point would seem to stand still for eternity! So if you moved at the speed of light, I believe your existence would far superseed the existence of our existence on earth because every event in our time will be like a flat one dimensional picture? I don't even understand this.

So what is beyond the universe ... only God knows?

Answer 2

The term 'Universe' is applied to that Cosmic system which contains every entity we can Observe or Experience. Including 'Space' and 'Time'. That the Universe is exanding is a fact established by repeated observation conducted by many people over the years. There can be as little doubt about it as there can be in any well established Scientific fact. Though this does not mean Big Bang Theory is necessarily valid. That is still an open question.
However, assuming it is valid, then according to Big Bang Theory 'Space' was created at the moment the Universe started to expand from a state of infinite (?) density. So what is meant by expansion is that the amount of Space with respect to amount of matter-energy is increasing, thus decreasing dentity of the Universe. There can be no other meaning attached to it. The question 'what is it expanding into?' presupposes that there is a something outside the Universe. Maybe we sould give this imaginary entity a new name. It cant be 'space'. If there is such a thing, then since it cant be observed and is outside our sphere of observation, we can cut it out from our theory. It is only for our imagination and speculation.

Answer 3

It is definitely expanding. That is known.

An analogy may be in order. Imagine that space an time are represented by the surface of the earth with time represented by latitude and space by longitude. The south pole would represent the instant of the Big Bang. Each latitude line would be the universe at some time.

We notice that as we move up in latitude from the south pole, the 'universe' expands until we get to the equator and then contracts again until the north pole (a Big Crunch). But what does the universe expand into? Well, if you look at this model, you will see that either the question itself is meaningless, or that it has the unsatisfying, but true answer: it expands into the future.

This model is very simplistic: space is represented by a (one-dimensional) circle of latitude. In reality, space is at least three dimensional. It is also likely that the expansion will not stop, but will continue forever (so a horn shape would be better than a sphere). Finally, it is likely that space is infinite as opposed to the finite circle in the model. But this type of model, when suitably expanded, is similar to the models actually used by scientists to model the expansion of the universe.

So the answer to your question: the universe expands into the future!

Answer 4

I honestly don't have a good answer. I do have an answer though. Suppose a universe existed before this one. Our universe could be expanding into what is left of the previous universe. If you believe the big bang theory, then you can also believe that it happened more than once. We could be the 30th time it's happened and not the first. But then you have to ask, "What about the first"? Like I said, it's not a good answer.

Answer 5

It could be expanding into empty space that was there before or it could be creating the space as it expands.

I don't think that the question matters very much because what is the difference between empty space and non-existence?

If the space does not contain any matter or energy then it doesn't count.

These are my rules. If you don't like them, get your own universe.

Answer 6

the universe is finite yet has no edge and no center. it is four-dimensional, but if you can imagine a two-dimensional version then it seems to be something like the surface a sphere. it is this surface that is expanding. nothing, not even space-time, exists "outside" the universe. to quote a dead writer, "there's no there, there". the big bang was not an explosion of matter in empty space. the big bang was the entire universe, and everywhere in the universe was once the big bang.

seriously, look here:
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=0009F0CA-C523-1213-852383414B7F0147

Answer 7

Its only a theory that it is expanding. Another thing to think about it, if the universe is infinite, then how can it grow? its all very speculative with no hard proof for each side, at least not that im aware of.

Answer 8

Empty area perchance. i've got not got self belief it extremely is increasing. you are able to evaluate we people are very limited on what we are able to observe and degree interior the universe, because of the fact our technologies hasn't reached the point that could desire to enable us to rapidly come across far reaches of the universe. It takes an prolonged time in basic terms to get a probe outdoors our own galaxy, nevermind the far reaches. i think of area of our concern is with the help of our ideals in limits. as an occasion we've self belief no longer something can commute swifter than easy. Why no longer? useful easy has velocity limits, yet that would not unavoidably recommend different issues additionally do. easily, empty area has no proscribing aspects. the only issues which could decrease velocity are actual gadgets, gravity and electromagnetic fields, extremely. So technically there's no genuine velocity decrease interior the universe. i might even question theories like e=mc^2. i think of Einstein substitute into in basic terms referencing the optimal style available by applying technological understanding on the time. And time/area continuum is non-existant because of the fact time itself does no longer exist, it substitute into invented by applying guy as a skill of length. as far as i will see the cost of sunshine has no touching on something, extremely on mass. of direction it extremely is assuming the scientists that say easy has no mass are surely stunning. (Which i do no longer think of they're, we in basic terms will not be able to degree the mass with our technologies). to make sparkling, scientists might have shown that planets, stars and galaxies are shifting aside, yet that itself does no longer coach the universe is increasing. The universe might desire to be finite, no human extremely is conscious. And if there's a God, I doubt he might comprehend the two.

Answer 9

Well, when I think about this, it makes me believe that the universe does not contain everything after all. Who knows.

Answer 10

do you really think universe contains every thing?
it is impossible in my opinion.... in our life we see that as long as we are able to breath we can learn & do new things
the universe is as our dad !... yes, our dad
so logically it will continue expanding till the hour
into what?! i don't know ...but some times i feel we are n't alone!
these other civilizations may have the answer!