I know that Space (that big empty SPACE) is a vacuum. But, is it made of matter? I know that there are things made of matter in space (planets, gasses, stars...etc), but is the space that has nothing in it made out of matter?
2006-12-01 08:49:30 · 12 answers · asked by Noname 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Very good question! The full scientific answer would take a book. But, space and matter are different entities. People say, "Give me some space, man." What they mean is, create a little distance between us. Space is distance but also time. That was Einstein's relativity theory. The train arrived 3 minutes ago at the station which is 4 miles away. The "distance" is a mathematical combination of 4 miles and 3 minutes. Matter is "stuff" not space. Matter is made of atoms, and smaller particles. Gas, solids and liquids are all matter. Dark matter is also matter. They call it "dark" because they can't see it. Matter and energy are equivalent, but energy is not space. Energy can fill space, but it is not space. Take away all the matter and you have a vacuum. But there is still space. One more thing, space and matter are inter-related. Matter changes the "shape" of space, which causes matter to move in specific ways. This is gravity, a force caused by the effect of matter on space. I probably confused you more, but good luck with your quest.
2006-12-01 10:41:30 · answer #1 · answered by Larry S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is plenty of dust in space. Space should be absolute nothing. Meaning vacuum and no temperature. However, space itself has a temperature of about 3 to 5 degrees kelvin. So there is some stuff out there giving off a slight amount of heat. The question should be are we in a closed or open universe? Does the big bang keep happening, or is this the only time on the merry go round?
2006-12-01 09:02:49 · answer #2 · answered by Chic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally space is empty... a vacuum. However the very fabric of space on the super atomic scale has been theorized and to a minor extent indicates that it is granular, and made of a rough collection of particles (for lack of a better descriptive word). It is not matter in the normal conventional sense of the word, nor can one use the normal ideas of solid, but the very fabric of space even in a vacuum is not truly empty.
2006-12-01 09:19:02 · answer #3 · answered by Dragonlord Warlock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a GREAT question. Not by the normal definition of "matter"...HOWEVER, Einstein's theory of relativity states that gravity occurs due to a displacement of the properties of space and time...whereevr there's mass in space, that space will displace and curve accrding to how much mass is displacing it. So, that would seem to suggest there's something about the fabric of space and time that is substantial and plyable!!
We're still working on that one! String theory (unproven) suggests everything in the universe is made from a string that exists in 10 dimensions...even space itself. Being that this would be beyond even the quantum level, it wouldn't be considered matter. But it may well be something of substance.
ps to Camp--then you're not counting all the photons that are everywhere you can possibly look and are enabling you to see...let alone all the other forms of radiation out there.
2006-12-01 08:57:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vacuum:
Noun~
4. a space not filled or occupied; emptiness; void: The loss left a vacuum in his heart.
2006-12-01 08:54:39 · answer #5 · answered by Wyleeguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope because the 4 types of matter is solids, liquids, gases, and plasma. Relate this to waves. I think that Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through and a medium is contained in a matter. Mechanical waves CANNOT travel in space becasue there's no matter in space Hope that helped :)
2006-12-01 09:31:50 · answer #6 · answered by Grapes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, space is made of space. It is just the location where things are, not the things themselves. The often spoken of "fabric of space" shows the inability of even the smartest people to conceive of that.
2006-12-01 09:00:47 · answer #7 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The space, empty space is actually made out of ether and black matter.
2006-12-01 09:38:59 · answer #8 · answered by Odio a los Estados Unidos! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A vacuum is the absence of matter, so technically THE VACUUM OF SPACE is not matter. . .
Please note that I capitalized that section for emphasis. . .and because I am unsure if more recent discoveries (dark matter and so on) make a tremendous difference.
Also, gases are matter; real gases are not volumeless, though ideal gases are. However, ideal gases do, of course, not exist.
2006-12-01 08:53:49 · answer #9 · answered by infinitys_7th 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. Since there is room for planets, etc. space isn't made of matter. i don't think gases are either, because matter must have volume, but i could be wrong.
2006-12-01 08:53:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋