Does the universe go on forever? If it does that's really trippy. But if it doesn't then what is stopping it, like when it stops what is there that is stopping it?? This question explodes my brain whenever i think about it.
2007-06-16 03:34:07 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Gravitational forces exerted by matter is predicted to be the primary cause of halting universal expansion. If there is enough matter in the universe to exactly counteract the expansion force then a flat universe is predicted - your stop scenario.
If there is not enough (as currently calculated) then the universe will be open and continue on forever.
If there is enough matter that exerts a force greater than that of universal expansion then a closed universe is predicted - a big crunch.
These are still all relatively sketchy as the presence of dark matter in the universe makes scientist wonder if their matter calculations are underestimates, as dark matter cannot be detected without interacting with normal detectable matter.
Even more confusing is the presence of dark energy, which is believed to accelerate universal expansion - hence the ultimate fate of the universe cannot be readily stated as of yet.
Hopefully your brain has enough gravitational force to counteract it exploding whilst reading this :).
2007-06-16 03:44:17 · answer #1 · answered by Tsumego 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should have no problem understanding this. The thing that will stop the universe from getting bigger is the slowing down of it's expansion due to gravity of the mass at the centre overcoming the inertia of the rest of the universe. This is a major problem for astronomers to verify, they think there is dark matter in quantities large enough to cause this to happen but they have not been able to detect it up to now.
2007-06-19 05:00:02 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
latest findings, as far as i know, show that the universe is still expanding faster than expected and that the contained matter inside is not enough to cause the expansion to stop or make it collaps.
So the final result should be like all matter sucked up in black holes which are slowly shrinking due to hawking-radiation.
a rather unspectacular end.
2007-06-16 03:42:45 · answer #3 · answered by blondnirvana 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The universe is still expanding, but some scientists believe that someday it may implode (collapse inwardly) until it all comes together and bangs itself into a big explosion which will be the beginning of a new universe that will be expanding once again.
2007-06-16 04:50:40 · answer #4 · answered by tracyterry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Universe is continuously expanding, however Know one cannot accurately predict what is the fate of the UNIVERSE only the almighty GOD who created the Heavens and the Earth.
2007-06-16 05:24:59 · answer #5 · answered by rome_rvb20 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of the most important and controversial topics in cosmology today. All that you can hope for here are pet theories. There is as yet no conclusive evidence.
2007-06-16 08:19:48 · answer #6 · answered by Fred 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when an authorized person will push THE red button...hahaha
2007-06-16 04:07:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋