Why is my computer not moving away from me in an expanding universe?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of an expanding universe and questions why the computer is not moving away as well. The individual is a new member and shares their educational background in physics. They also apologize for not searching for prior discussions on the topic before posting their question and thank the responder for their help.
  • #1
Andy_Electron
2
0
Hi

Im new here so please be kind :smile: .
I just wondered, since we live in an "expanding" universe, why is my computer not moving away from me as i type this message? Light from most of the stars/galaxies in the sky is redshifted so they are moving away from me (or so I am told), why not my computer? Is it because my computer is actually moving away from me, but just very slowly or have a completely missed the point and not understood the concept of an expanding universe (i think this is probably the case).
Just so you know how to gauge your response, I am an A Level student (UK) and I am going to University this year to study Physics.

Thanks for any help you can give me and remember I am new so don't be too harsh when you tell me i don't have a clue about Physics :smile: .

Andy
 
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  • #3
Thankyou that has helped me loads.
Sorry, i really should have searched before posting.

Thanks for your response anyway :smile:
 
  • #4
No prob. :smile:
 

FAQ: Why is my computer not moving away from me in an expanding universe?

What evidence do we have that the universe is expanding?

The most notable evidence for the expansion of the universe is the redshift of light from distant galaxies. This redshift is caused by the stretching of space as the universe expands. Additionally, the cosmic microwave background radiation, often referred to as the afterglow of the Big Bang, also supports the idea of an expanding universe.

How fast is the universe expanding?

The rate of expansion, also known as the Hubble constant, is currently estimated to be around 70 kilometers per second per megaparsec. This means that for every megaparsec (3.26 million light years) of distance, the universe is expanding by 70 kilometers per second. However, this value is not constant and has been found to vary slightly depending on the method of measurement.

Will the universe continue to expand forever?

Based on current observations and theories, it is believed that the universe will continue to expand forever. This is due to the amount of dark energy present in the universe, which is thought to be the driving force behind its expansion. However, this is still an area of ongoing research and further observations and discoveries may change our understanding of the fate of the universe.

What is the role of dark energy in the expansion of the universe?

Dark energy is a mysterious force that is thought to make up about 70% of the total energy in the universe. It is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe, counteracting the effects of gravity and pushing galaxies and other objects further apart. However, the exact nature of dark energy is still not fully understood and is a topic of ongoing research.

How does the expansion of the universe affect our daily lives?

The expansion of the universe has very little direct impact on our daily lives. It mostly affects objects on a very large scale, such as galaxies and galaxy clusters. However, the expansion of the universe does have implications for the future of our universe, as it will continue to expand and become more and more dilute, eventually leading to the end of stars and galaxies and potentially the heat death of the universe.

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