Is all the space there is here now or is space being created

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In summary, the article was discussing the idea that because we exist in a universe where all the "space" there will ever be is here now, then all the "time" there will ever be is here now. It's not nonsense, but it's a matter of interpretation to whether or not this is a meaningful concept.
  • #1
CaptDude
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Hello all,
Sometime back I read an article on spacetime. It expanded upon the thought that since we live in a universe where all the "space" there will ever be is here now - then all the "time" there will ever be is here now because spacetime is so intimately related. Is this nonsense or not? (I have tried to google this concept recently and can't find anything on this)
While thinking on this topic, I wondered if expansion of the universe was creating new "space" or if the correct way to think of expansion was simply "the expansion of existing space?" (my best guess) The answer to these two questions will tell me if I have another question to ask or not.
 
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  • #2
CaptDude said:
Sometime back I read an article on spacetime.

What article? Can you give a reference or a link to it? Without the context it's not really possible to tell what the article meant by the statements you quoted.

CaptDude said:
I wondered if expansion of the universe was creating new "space" or if the correct way to think of expansion was simply "the expansion of existing space?"

There isn't really an answer to this because these two things are not describing different ways the universe could be; they're describing different interpretations of the same mathematical model. The mathematical model is unambiguous, but its translation into layperson's language is not. Neither way of thinking about it is "wrong"; it's really a matter of personal preference and what works better in helping you to understand the mathematical model.
 
  • #3
PETERDONIS ASKED: What article? Can you give a reference or a link to it? Without the context it's not really possible to tell what the article meant by the statements you quoted.This link takes you to an article that is the only thing I can find that touches on what I read several years back. It is not the same, but it DOES reference Einstein's belief that - Quote: "there is no true division between past and future, there is rather a single existence." This plays into what my post asks.

http://everythingforever.com/einstein.htm
 
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  • #4
CaptDude said:
Quote: "there is no true division between past and future, there is rather a single existence."

This is just saying that spacetime is a 4-dimensional thing that just exists, not something that changes. But that's still a description of the mathematical model, not directly of reality. Einstein believed that the mathematical model directly reflects reality in this respect (at least, he did in his later years, according to the article); but that was his personal belief, not a scientific conclusion.
 
  • #5
CaptDude said:
... I wondered if expansion of the universe was creating new "space" or if the correct way to think of expansion was simply "the expansion of existing space?" (my best guess) The answer to these two questions will tell me if I have another question to ask or not.

Neither... My understanding is as follows

Expanding balloon analogy?
 

FAQ: Is all the space there is here now or is space being created

Is space a finite or infinite entity?

There is currently no definitive answer to this question. Some theories suggest that space is infinite and constantly expanding, while others propose that space is finite but unbounded. Further research and observations are needed to fully understand the nature of space.

How can space be created?

The concept of space being "created" is still a subject of debate among scientists. Some theories propose that space can be created through the process of inflation, where the universe rapidly expands in a short period of time. Others suggest that space is constantly being created as the universe expands.

Is space being created at a constant rate?

Current research suggests that the expansion of space is accelerating, which means that space is being created at an increasing rate. However, the exact rate of this expansion is still uncertain and is a topic of ongoing study.

What is the relationship between space and time?

Space and time are closely intertwined, as described by Einstein's theory of relativity. Space and time are not separate entities, but rather make up the fabric of the universe known as spacetime. Changes in one can affect the other, as seen in the phenomenon of time dilation.

Can we ever reach the edge of space?

Since space is constantly expanding, there is no definitive "edge" that can be reached. The observable universe is limited by the speed of light, but it is believed that space continues beyond what we can see. So, in a sense, there is no edge of space that can be reached in our lifetime.

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