2007-05-11 08:28:28 · 14 answers · asked by clue2 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
NO
2007-05-16 16:35:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is suspected that space is curved, due to the gravity exerted by all its mass. This would make the universe finite and self-contained, so if you were to travel in the same direction for trillions of years you would arrive back were you started, due to space being curved into another, unobservable spacial dimension. So you could say that space is infinite, but that would be like saying that the circumference of a circle is infinite because you can keep looping around.
To visualise this, imagine a flat, two dimensional universe populated by flat, two dimensional beings. Their universe would be spherical, and without an edge, but the beings that live there have no concept of a third dimension, so the nature of their universe would be quite puzzling. Now up the number of dimensions by one and that would explain this particular idea about a finite universe.
2007-05-11 16:00:25 · answer #2 · answered by Bullet Magnet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of those questions which we don't know the answer... Science says that the universe was created by the Big Bang, and the Universe has been expanding since then. This model of the universe is finite... It has an end... But what happens if you go past the end of the universe?? Can you? Personally I believe we require a better understanding of time... I think time plays into the fabric of space and joins the edges of the universe together to a singular point which is the Big Bang itself!
2007-05-11 15:51:09 · answer #3 · answered by Leonardo D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe. After all, the area of the Earth is limited. If you believed it were flat, you might say that if it is not infinitely large then it must have an edge and ask where that edge is. But of course Earth is round and has no edge. Similarly, space is believed to be curved and have limited volume but no edge. The difference is that the two dimensional surface of the Earth is curved in 3 dimensional space which we can see, but 3 dimensional space is curved in a higher dimension (4th dimension?) "hyperspace" that we cannot see.
2007-05-11 16:26:01 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure how we can answer this question either way. The edge of the observable universe is moving away faster and faster approaching the speed of light. Nasa is working on a new infra-red space telescope that will be able to see distant galaxies drop off the edge the the observable universe. It's not that they are no longer there, just the space between us and them is expanding faster then light moves, so the light will never reach us.
2007-05-11 15:56:46 · answer #5 · answered by Derek S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That seems an odd question to me. Why don't you just ask, "Is the distance of space infinite?"
Do you mean, perhaps, is the universe infinite in size? The answer is, no. The universe is finite in size.
2007-05-11 15:38:40 · answer #6 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No more than the person who tells me that space is infinite. We have no way of knowing - only a choice in what we choose to believe.
2007-05-11 15:36:34 · answer #7 · answered by Alison 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No....It has been proven that numbers are infinite....how can anything infinite exist in a finite universe? Can a bear live in a doll house? There are many other reasons. One more example......if space had a limit then there would be a measurable pressure......like the air pressure of a tire. Space is a perfect vacuum...........no measurable pressure of any kind.
2007-05-11 15:35:23 · answer #8 · answered by Joline 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Nobody really knows. I wouldn't immediately believe the person if I had no knowledge on the subject. I do have knowledge and believe that the Universe is finite.
2007-05-11 15:58:59 · answer #9 · answered by Spilamilah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, infinite is a mathematical concept. Space has curvature like that of a sphere or a hyperbola. It is not a vacuum at all.
2007-05-11 15:37:57 · answer #10 · answered by nckobra40 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes I would believe that person.
His reasons for saying it may be different than mine but he would be right.
2007-05-11 18:24:28 · answer #11 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋