Expansion of space

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

dgmoffat

Guest
I have a question about the expansion of space.<br /><br />If space is expanding everywhere continuously then the space in which the Earth is sitting must be expanding. But the individual atoms of the Earth do not move apart because they are held toegther by gravity and other forces.This mean that those atoms are, in effect, moving down hill in order to maintain heir relative distance from each other. <br /><br />But when matter moves downhill potential energy is convered to kinetic energy so there must be a continuous injection of kinetic energy into the Earth by this effect. Is this theory correct and has anyone tried to estimate the amount of energy?<br /><br />Also, of course, where does that energy come from?
 
S

SpeedFreek

Guest
Hi there, and welcome to SDC! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /><i>"This mean that those atoms are, in effect, moving down hill in order to maintain heir relative distance from each other."</i><br /><br />If the space within each atom is expanding by the same amount, then "downhill" would be movement towards the centre of expansion, which would be the centre of the atom, would it not? As for the atoms relative distances to each other, their gravity settles them into equilibrium at a slightly larger distance than they would be without the expansion. But how could we test this if space is constantly expanding and also affects the distance between the atoms in our rulers?<br /><br />If as expansion decelerated atoms settled into a smaller size, and when it accelerated atoms got larger, how could we tell?<br /><br />As for kinetic energy, well, consider that the atoms are not constantly accelerating, but are moving inertially in equlibrium, as if in a stable orbit. But this orbit has settled to a slightly larger size due to the expansion of space.<br /><br />Would the conversion of potential to kinetic energy happen only as the <i> rate </i> of expansion changes? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000">_______________________________________________<br /></font><font size="2"><em>SpeedFreek</em></font> </p> </div>
 
D

dgmoffat

Guest
I am not sure I agree with your comments.<br /><br />As space expands does the internal equilibrium distances within molecules also expand? This would suggest a corresponding weakening of the other nuclear forces. <br /><br />I thought that that was not the case and that the internal distances between atoms in a molecule remained the same. But do do so those atoms need to adjust their place space which would, I think, mean a decrease in potental energy and an increase in kinetic energy.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts