Cosmic inflation:expanding our universe of possibilities

[Rorisang]

Introduction:
Cosmic inflation is a compelling argument in cosmology that proposes a period of rapid and exponential expansion during the early universe. This theory, introduced in the 1980s, has reshaped our understanding of the cosmos. Let's explore the argument for cosmic inflation and its implications.

The Flatness Problem:
One argument for cosmic inflation arises from the flatness problem. According to the laws of general relativity, the geometry of the universe is determined by its density. A flat universe (Euclidean geometry) is one where parallel lines never meet, like a sheet of paper. The universe appears to be very close to flat, but it should naturally curve due to its density. Cosmic inflation provides a solution.

Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Radiation:
Observations of the CMB radiation, which is the afterglow of the Big Bang, offer support for cosmic inflation. Tiny temperature fluctuations in the CMB match the predictions of inflationary models. These fluctuations are crucial for the formation of structures like galaxies in our universe.

Horizon Problem:
The universe's large-scale structure is remarkably uniform. Yet, regions of the cosmos separated by vast distances shouldn't have had time to communicate and reach a uniform temperature. Cosmic inflation suggests that these regions were once much closer together and thus had the opportunity to equilibrate thermally.

Structure Formation:
Cosmic inflation provides a mechanism for the formation of cosmic structures. Quantum fluctuations during the inflationary phase could have been stretched to cosmic scales, creating the seeds for galaxies and galaxy clusters. This idea beautifully aligns with our observations of the large-scale structure of the universe.
- What was the trigger for cosmic inflation?
- Are there variations in the inflationary process across different regions of the universe?
- What lies beyond cosmic inflation in the early universe's history?
- How does cosmic inflation relate to other cosmological mysteries like dark matter and dark energy?

Cosmic inflation offers a compelling framework to explain several puzzling aspects of our universe. While it raises new questions, it also exemplifies the beauty of scientific inquiry, where ideas like inflation expand our cosmic horizons and invite us to explore the universe's hidden secrets.

 

[Classical Motion]

What did our expanding space displace?

 

[Rorisang]

What did our expanding space displace?

In my perspective the expansion of space itself doesn't displace anything within the universe. Instead, it's the very fabric of space itself that is stretching.

think about it in this way

Imagine you have a rubber sheet with a grid drawn on it. Each grid line represents a distance between objects. If you stretch the rubber sheet uniformly in all directions, the grid lines get farther apart. This is similar to how space itself expands in our universe.

So, the expansion of space doesn't displace objects within the universe in the way, for example, a rising balloon displaces the air around it. Instead, it's as if the grid lines themselves are getting longer, causing all objects in the universe to move away from each other as the space between them expands.

 

[Atlan0001]

About one-third of the observed universe is matter, old matter, new matter. Come another billion years, about one-third of the observed universe then will still be matter, old matter, new matter. Come another trillion, trillion, years, about one-third of the observed universe then will still be matter, old matter, new matter. That is the big problem with all that dark energy expanding between galaxies, it's always apparently high energy and thus probably always a high heat also . . . cooling to matter, about one-third's worth matter, I suppose.

Speaking of possibilities:

Scientists propose sweeping new law of nature, expanding on evolution

When British naturalist Charles Darwin sketched out his theory of evolution in the 1859 book "On the Origin of Species" - proposing that biological species change over time through the acquisition of traits that favor survival and reproduction - it provoked a revolution in scientific thought.

www.reuters.com

Interesting for cosmology, too. Old idea I already had written upon calling it the buildup, or build-in, of complexity and chaos.

 

[Classical Motion]

What do we call the area that space is expanding into?

Is the space that is present now.....being rarefied as the total space expands? Or is space growing? Do we have more space now than we had earlier?

Is there a space inventory?

 

[Rorisang]

What do we call the area that space is expanding into?

Is the space that is present now.....being rarefied as the total space expands? Or is space growing? Do we have more space now than we had earlier?

When I talk about the expansion of the universe,in my perspective I'm referring to the increase in the scale of space itself. It's not that the space within our universe is becoming "rarefied," but rather, space is expanding. The galaxies are moving apart from each other as the universe expands.

The expansion of the universe means that there's more space between distant objects, such as galaxies, now compared to earlier in the universe's history. However, this doesn't imply that there's more "space" in a physical sense. The total volume of the universe is believed to be finite but ever-expanding.

There isn't a "space inventory" in the sense of tracking available space as if it were a finite resource. Space itself is a fundamental aspect of the universe and is, by current understanding, infinite and constantly expanding.

What do we call the area that space is expanding into?

Is the space that is present now.....being rarefied as the total space expands? Or is space growing? Do we have more space now than we had earlier?

Is there a space inventory?

 

[Atlan0001]

What do we call the area that space is expanding into?

Is the space that is present now.....being rarefied as the total space expands? Or is space growing? Do we have more space now than we had earlier?

Is there a space inventory?

I've read a few times where physicists say something does not exist until it is observed.

In the first place, space cannot be observed. Throughout human history we've been expanding our view of the TIME of our local-relative universe which has been said to be also the SPACE of the universe, SPACETIME, which actually isn't the SPACE of the universe no matter what physicists claim.

If the horizon of the universe is infinite (if the horizon universes are infinite) the finite view of it is of "potential" rather than any whole. So, a constant, endless, local-relative expansionism ("potential of infinity") observed and to be observed, into what already exists ("infinity").

 

[Rorisang]

I've read a few times where physicists say something does not exist until it is observed.

In the first place, space cannot be observed. Throughout human history we've been expanding our view of the TIME of our local-relative universe which has been said to be also the SPACE of the universe, SPACETIME, which actually isn't the SPACE of the universe no matter what physicists claim.

If the horizon of the universe is infinite (if the horizon universes are infinite) the finite view of it is of "potential" rather than any whole. So, a constant, endless, local-relative expansionism ("potential of infinity") observed and to be observed, into what already exists ("infinity").

The statement you've presented touches on fundamental aspects of our understanding of the universe, space, and time.

Nature of Space and Time: Einstein's Theory of General Relativity introduced the concept of spacetime, combining space and time into a single framework. It's not that space and time are entirely separate, but rather they are interconnected in a four-dimensional continuum.

Observing Space: When we talk about "observing space," we're often referring to our ability to detect and measure objects, light, and other phenomena in the universe. While we can't directly observe the empty vacuum of space, we can observe the objects and energy within it, which gives us insights into the nature of the universe.

The Expanding Universe: Observations such as the redshift of galaxies and the cosmic microwave background support the idea of an expanding universe. The universe is indeed expanding, which means the distances between galaxies are increasing over time.

Infinite or Finite Universe: The debate between an infinite or finite universe is an ongoing one in cosmology. Some theories suggest that the universe is finite but unbounded, meaning it has no edges. Other theories suggest an infinite universe.

Local-Relative Expansion: The expansion of the universe is indeed a local-relative concept, meaning it's observable from any point in the universe, and observers everywhere will see galaxies moving away from them. This is one of the key pieces of evidence for the Big Bang Theory.

"Potential of Infinity": The idea of the universe having the potential for infinity is an intriguing concept. It means that as the universe expands, it continually creates more space, and this expansion doesn't have a predefined endpoint. It's a feature consistent with many cosmological models.

In summary, our understanding of the universe is based on scientific observations and theories that have evolved over time. The interconnectedness of space and time in the framework of spacetime, the expanding nature of the universe, and the debate over its infinite or finite character are all topics at the forefront of cosmological research and exploration. The true nature of the cosmos beyond our observable horizon continues to be a subject of scientific investigation.

 

[Classical Motion]

You have given space a physical character. So it can expand. That character is the length, the distance, between objects.You have made this length.....independent of the object's positions.

Length does not come from space, it comes from mass. All properties come from mass and matter. Without mass and matter, no length is needed. No length is manufactured.

From what we observe, the length of atoms has not changed for 13 billion years. And there is a greater length of "space" in an atom, than the length of the mass of an atom.

 

[CuriousOne]

There is of course the question what does our universe expand into or what does it replace, push aside, or replace as it expands. While the question I think is valid there is however the initial issue that needs to be resolved first as to what is this thing we call our universe?
With "c" being constant and red-shift observable there seems to be something that will have to be resolved first. Bringing back the issue what is our universe? Time seems to be something that relates to how fast something moves within our universe, light as frequency as radio transmissions are clearly propagated by something that itself is not effected by time in the sense an object is affected by actual moving at the speed of c. I offer up we first need to solve what the universe is before moving to the next as to what the universe bubble expands into...
Just like the big bang was not THE Beginning it simply was a beginning of most likely many. To worry about other universes or in what it was that this beginning took place lets try focusing on understanding the realm we are in and part of with all those different things we can not yet agree on or proof as to if a magnetic field needs a medium or not. All I am saying is that light is propagated just like sound is propagated and if an object were to travel at the propagation speed it would experience the effects that respective medium put upon it for air we all understand drag as to c it may be time. In air we have sonic booms not sure if somehow "space" could rip at a slow speed to get around it.

Not sure if I will still be around or if we will ever find out ...

 

[Atlan0001]

Many physicists think we live in a multiverse. But they're getting a simple math rule wrong.

Our universe seems to be perfectly suited for life. But anyone who claims that's evidence of a multiverse is falling prey to a logical fallacy.

www.livescience.com

No universe of a multiverse (no multiverse universe) is fine tuned for life. It is life that fine tunes a universe, a multiverse, for life. The base verse, the base dimensionality, of all multiverses multi-dimensionality, is exactly the same base. As illustrated all those spheres, all those bubble universes, exist in (come from) the same primordial sea of quantum soupy heat . . . the same fractal zoom universe structuring (smooth and chunky coarse grain) set and reset adhering throughout.

Above, I just described multiverse multi-dimensionality in two differing views (of multiple views) of, or approaches to, the same universe physic, as does Relativity and Quantum Physics, among others. All the puzzle pieces of multiverse differences fitting together to form universes of self-similarity (self-similar universes). Malleable dough for life's working.

But as Stephen Hawking said, only center portions of the raw, alien and harsh frontier are reachable for life and workable by life into "life zones" finite in time. There is bridging for migration between discreet quanta spherical bubble universes in the sea. There is omnidirectional "flatland" horizontality to the layered verticality of fractal zooms universe set (and reset) structure. And so on, an Infinite MULTIVERSE (multi-dimensional puzzle pieces) Universe Frontier. An 'Endless Frontier' quite expansive in its creative, workable, possibilities for life.

The death warrant too many cosmological physicists give worlds (give universes) is strictly local relative and isn't universal.

 

[Gibsense]

In my perspective the expansion of space itself doesn't displace anything within the universe. Instead, it's the very fabric of space itself that is stretching.

think about it in this way

Imagine you have a rubber sheet with a grid drawn on it. Each grid line represents a distance between objects. If you stretch the rubber sheet uniformly in all directions, the grid lines get farther apart. This is similar to how space itself expands in our universe.

So, the expansion of space doesn't displace objects within the universe in the way, for example, a rising balloon displaces the air around it. Instead, it's as if the grid lines themselves are getting longer, causing all objects in the universe to move away from each other as the space between them expands.

Whilst this appears to answer the question it does ignore the fact that our space is something. A thing/stuff that can spontaneously produce particles (which cancel out of course very quickly).
So instead of 'stretch' maybe it would be better to think of new 'space' added to cause the separation. Perhaps a Black Hole Process of space added causing expansion. Enough, lol