It is not at all clear that the universe is infinite. We can only see a finite part of it - that much is certain. So to say it is infinite we must have some reason to conjecture beyond what we can see, and to do that we must use maths to draw conclusions about the geometry of the universe.
Until anout 5 or 10 years ago those conjectures were leading to a flat or slightly curved universe - ie one that may have had just enough mass to collapse again against the momentum of its expansion. Such a universe would forever be finite.
However, it has since been realised that the behaviour of nearby galaxies cannot be accounted for by their observed mass - there is a lot of mass that cannot be seen and whose origin is unknown (dark matter). And it has also been realised that the expansion is speeding up not slowing down.
So the jury is definitely out at the moment - we just do not know enough to give an answer that is anything more than idle speculation or useless opinion (answers liek "in my view" or "in my opinion" aren't worth the paper they are not written on).
2007-03-04 19:15:22
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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The universe is certainly large, but not infinite. According to physicists, the universe started from a very small point and grew from there with the big bang. And since the universe is still expanding and even expanding at an increasing rate, it can't be infinite. Infinite implies no boundaries and if the universe is still growing it must have a limit somewhere that is expanding.
There has to be a difference between sentient structure and chaos forms because sentience requires some form of order. Chaos is not orderly and thus can't be sentient.
2007-03-05 00:46:29
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answer #2
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answered by wires 7
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The universe is a finite entity and one day will go out of existence.
It is an evolving structure that follows the rules that came into existence with the first space-time pulse.
There is no chaos in the universe and it does have a sentient aspect.
Some time after it's beginning it developed the capacity to become aware of it self,we are the consciousness,the eyes and ears of the universe.
2007-03-05 12:28:33
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answer #3
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answered by Billy Butthead 7
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I'm just answering the first question with a no that comes from certain sources. People disagree with these kind of things but I'm expressing one opinion. A renowned astro-physicist wrote a book on the subject his name and the name of the book escapes me. He supports the theory of the Big Bang and postulates that the universe is constantly expanding (this is why it is considered infinite) and says the rate of expansion is actually accelerating. So basically, yes the universe is infinite. According to that theory at least.
2007-03-05 00:38:28
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answer #4
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answered by Magister 2
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Yes. The universe had no beginning and will never have an end. It just is and will never ever be was. There is no human number or word sufficient to describe how big it is, not even 'infinity squared to infinity'. Man's puny intellect can't comprehend such size. The use of terms like edge, center, corner, or other man made terms are irrelevant in referring to the universe.
2007-03-05 01:22:30
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
2007-03-05 08:19:30
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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In my opinion the Universe is "finite" and has a definite spherical boundary. I also believe it is rotating on its axis and has always existed and always will. In other words, I am a supporter of the "Steady State Theory" and totally disagree with the accepted "Big Bang Theory" !
2007-03-05 05:13:45
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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1) No.
2) Yes.
2007-03-05 00:42:41
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answer #8
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answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6
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