If space is nothing but the distance between two objects....?

Question

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if the entire universe only contained one object, like a pebble, would there still be space?

Answer 1

obviously not...

Answer 2

First, space is a something; not a nothing. Space bends under huge gravitational forces, like from a galaxy. This was predicted by Einstein and measured by modern science to validate it. The effect is called gravity lenses because the bent space will actually bend star light around a major galaxy.

String theory and others claim that space is filled with stuff...like strings and a higher dimensional force field called the Higgs field. Strings are about 1.6 X 10^-34 cm long, which is called Plank length. [See source.] So even the far reaches of our known universe may have stuff in it. We can't see or measure it, for now, but the models predict its existance.

So, if there were but one pebble in all our known space, there would still be stuff in it. There would still be space.

Now having said this, the thing that puzzles me is, what lies in between the strings?

Answer 3

Space is a real entity.
If you eliminate the space between two objects they will be in contact with each other.
Everything in the universe is a product of space.
The single object could exist and space would still be here.
If you squeezed your self down to the size of a pea,you wouldn't be you any more.
The only difference would be the space that was displaced from your interior.

Answer 4

Space is not defined by the distance between two objects but by the vacuum around an object. This vacuum is composed of virtual particles which are particles that appear and disappear before they have any effect on anything. Physicists have added energy to the vacuum to allow these particles to stay around long enough to be detected.

Answer 5

Space is the a priori form of outer intuition, not a property of things in themselves. Space, then, is NOT just the distance between two objects, but the way in which we represent the world outside of ourselves. If space was just the distance between objects (that is, if space was relational) then it would disappear if the objects disappeared.This clearly is not the case.

Answer 6

Hmmm.... Quite the paradox but I guess it would boil down to if there was an observer on the pebble able to percieve a concept like space. There could be no outside observer. Considering the pebble is all that there is.

Answer 7

Of course and space is not defined as the distance between two objects.

Answer 8

space-time are two properties derived from the big kaboom 11 billion years ago,,,,,,,nother term for space-time is as continueum,,,,,,,,,,,a 'straight line' between 2 objects is subject to distortion because of gravitational warp around bodies in space........if results of big kaboom yielded virtually all heat,light energy, and volume of initial 'ylem' (hebrew) same,then distribution of matter light,heat would be different.but total mass the same,including mass of the pebble.the entire universe perhaps (we cannot describe,define or comprehend a volume of 'space' outside this universe) originated from a teaspoon of infinitely densepacked material ,which exploded,expanded(which it still does) and evolved into nebulae, constellations,groups and local groups of galaxies,planets,moons,and,,,,,,,,,pebbles

Answer 9

Yes. A better way of asking the same question that provides more insight would be the paradox between time, space and matter. Time is a measurement of existence (matter). Matter can't exist without space existing first, because you can't have matter without there being space for it to exist. Well if time is a measurement of matter, and space has to exist before matter, then how can it if exist BEFORE matter if time doesn't exist yet?

The answer is time space and matter don't exist empirically, they are perceptions of man. The universe is a big fuzzy out of focus ball of energy that only becomes reality when our minds focus on it, and only for us as individuals, because perception is subjective.

Answer 10

Yes. And if a tree fell in the woods with nobody around to hear, it would still make a sound. At least that is my philosophy.

Answer 11

whoa

thank god it doesn't
because it would confuse me to no end