Is space really infinate?

Question

Suppose the big band theory is correct, that means has been stretching since the big bang, but if that's true doesn't that meant that space has an end because if it was really infinate than it couldn't stretch cause it's already infinate. So than what come after space?

oops i meant big bang theory not big band

and i meant to say "that means space has been..."

For those that don't know what infinite means - having no boundaries or limits/ unlimited in spatial extent.

Answer 1

we don't know and sad to say this is unknowable BUT just to stretch your brain consider the STEADY STATE THEORY ( one of my favorites ) matter is continuously appearing out of nowhere ( everywhere ) to replace matter that is lost , which means no beginning and no end and of course space would be infinite ( doesn't fit modern theory but i can visualize this better than a Big Bang expanding into non-existence )****************************** FOR THAT MATTER I think I'll just go with the Stephen King theory of Eaters following behind us and cleaning up things it makes as much sense as any other theory

Answer 2

Of course nobody really knows this stuff. The ancient Brahmans (a pre-Hindu religion) in India had an interesting theory that corresponds to the Big Bang. The "Breath of Brahma" is what they called the expansions and contractions of the universe, which occur in cycles of billions of years. The universe begins as a small, compacted clump of matter. Some "big bang" occurs which causes the matter to explode outward, which is the exhalation of Brahma. At some point, the contraction reaches a breaking point, as a rubber band would, and the matter begins to contract and return to its source, which is the inhalation of Brahma. It eventually returns to the small clump of matter, and then it all starts over.

Interestingly, some physicists have begun to find that this is actually occurring--the universe is expanding, but the rate of expanding is slowing, so that eventually the expansion will end and reverse itself. Of course this is all theory currently. And if that is what the universe does, don't ask me how the hell the Brahmans figured that out so long ago...

Answer 3

The universe is finite, space is infinite.

The universe consists of all matter and energy. All of this matter and energy was concentrated in a single point some time ago. At one point, this matter/energy left that point at a speed less than or equal to the speed of light. So we have a rate and a time. Multiply those together and you will get a distance that indicates the size of the universe.

As far as space is concerned, space is nothing. There is no limit to how much nothing there can be. Thus space is boundless.

Answer 4

Who really knows? I wouldnt go worrying about it too much :) The universe is expanding at a greater pace than ever but who is to say the area it is expanding into isnt space. I dont understand your reasoning about sapce having an end because the universe is expanding. Consider having an infinite 3d space and a big bang in the middle that blasts matter and more outwards. As it expands there is less gravity pulling inwards causing an increase in speed. I dont believe there is a thing after space because space is infinite. We and celestrial bodies are merely expanding into it. Thats what I think, but no one really knows.

Answer 5

Best standard analogy is as follows... Imagine that the universe is the surface of a balloon. The balloon starts small at the big bang, and grows over time. At any given time, there is only a finite amount of surface area to the balloon. And, you can go around in a circle, so it is finite, but with no boundaries you will ever run into. (Now, you'd never live long enough to go all the way around a loop, of course! That would take hundreds of billions of years.)

In sum: Our universe is finite in size, but with no walls, at any given size. But our universe will (or at least may) get larger and larger without any limit, and is infinite in this sense.

The sense in which it is infinite is that the universe keeps on getting larger. So, for any size you might think of, our universe will eventually get bigger than that. (Well, if it continues expanding, as opposed to stopping, and contracting into a big crunch.)

Our universe is roughly like that balloon, where the two dimensional surface of the balloon is akin to our three-dimensional space.

Answer 6

space has to be finite (not infiniate) or many of the physics thories would not work. and as you said space cannot be infinite but at the same time constantly expanding. churches tend to like the idea of there being space beyond the edge of space because it gives room for heaven and hell to exist.

Answer 7

If the universe, which includes space, replaced the infinite vacuum, the universe is infinite.

Answer 8

Everything is infinite... if you really think about it. After space comes... well no one really knows... but, I personally think... other realities parallel to ours likes beyond the space... or maybe time... I haven't figured it out yet.

Answer 9

Space is infinite.

No end to it.

Howver, at the other end, there's a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop.

Answer 10

Based on how small we are compared to what we know and what we will ever know about how large space is it's safe to say it is infinite because we are so small.