Is the universe finite or infinite?

[Ben Kenobi]

You mean it doesn't?

[SlowwHand]

"finite, expanding without bound" makes zero sense.

[Ben Kenobi]

Explanations:

Static = Solid state. Universe neither expands nor contracts, is finite, and is infinitely old.

Infinite = Universe is infinite in all directions has no beginning or end.

Finite, but contracting. The expansion of the universe is decelerating, and eventually the universe will collapse

Finite, but balanced. The expansion of the universe is decelerating, but at a rate in which the universe will eventually reach a limit.

Finite but unbounded, The expansion of the universe is accelerating.

[loinburger]

Picture a planet whose diameter increases without bound. It's always finite, but it never stops expanding.

[SlowwHand]

Finite means there's an end to whatever supply of which you speak. If it's ever-growing, it's not finite.

[loinburger]

That is not the same definition of the word that the rest of the world uses.

[SlowwHand]

I don't know what world you're in.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Look up finite in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.


Finite is the opposite of infinite. It may refer to:
Having a finite number of elements: finite set
Being a finite number, so not equal to ; for example, all real numbers are finite
In a stronger sense, being a value that is neither infinite nor infinitesimal or zero; in this sense all real numbers except 0 are finite
Having a finite size
In physics jargon, finite can mean either non-infinite or nonzero.
A finite-state machine or finite automaton is a model of behavior composed of states, transitions and actions.
Finite verb
Finitude, or the end of existence for an individual on this earth (death).

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/finite

fi⋅nite [fahy-nahyt] Show IPA
–adjective 1. having bounds or limits; not infinite; measurable.
2. Mathematics. a. (of a set of elements) capable of being completely counted.
b. not infinite or infinitesimal.
c. not zero.

3. subject to limitations or conditions, as of space, time, circumstances, or the laws of nature: man's finite existence on earth.

–noun 4. something that is finite.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finite

Main Entry: fi·nite
Pronunciation: \ˈfī-ˌnīt\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English finit, from Latin finitus, past participle of finire
Date: 15th century

1 a : having definite or definable limits b : having a limited nature or existence
2 : completely determinable in theory or in fact by counting, measurement, or thought
3 a : less than an arbitrary positive integer and greater than the negative of that integer b : having a finite number of elements
4 : of, relating to, or being a verb or verb form that can function as a predicate or as the initial element of one and that is limited (as in tense, person, and number)

— finite noun

— fi·nite·ly adverb

— fi·nite·ness noun

I could look up more definitions for you if you'd like, but they're from earth books.

[Darius871]

Dunno, I don't think the universe is that big. Typical media hype, nothing more.

Big relative to what?

To my ****, ahh yeah! [/token]

[Theben]

Sloww may have you on this one, Loin. In order for "all matter and energy" to continually expand, there would have to be constant creation of energy. Otherwise it falls in on itself.

[loinburger]

Or it would just need the input of a sufficient force that its acceleration is not eliminated by gravity.

I figured that, regardless of what I said and regardless of the truth of the matter, the odds that Sloww would change his mind were zero. I gave it one shot, and then called it a day.

[Ben Kenobi]

Sloww may have you on this one, Loin. In order for "all matter and energy" to continually expand, there would have to be constant creation of energy. Otherwise it falls in on itself.

Quite the opposite, unless there is sufficient gravitational force to slow the expansion of the universe, the universe will continue to expand. The reason why things take force to expand here on earth, is because they are fighting against air pressure. There is no such negative pressure against the expansion of the universe.

Think of Newton's laws. An object in motion will continue to be in motion, while an object at rest will continue to be at rest. When you drive a car, the car slows down because of friction. In space, you would essentially travel at the exact same speed forever, there is no friction to slow you down.

WRT to the universe, gravitation is the force slowing down the expansion of the universe. As matter cannot be created or destroyed, the same amount of gravitational force has less and less strength as the universe expands. If the force of the initial explosion is significant enough, as each object is further and further away from each other, the force of gravity decreases at the square of the distance between each object. It's the same way escape velocity works. If you have a constant force and the force is sufficient, the velocity of the object will acheive escape velocity if the speed is high enough, and will accelerate from the earth, once the force of gravity decreases.

[Zkribbler]

Is the circumferance of a cicle finite or infinite? It can be measured, but you can go around it forever.

[The following is philosophy, not science:]
I am confident that sometime in the far, distant future, the universe will contract, falling back into a single, central mass. The matter/anti-matter will react, forming a gigantic explosion, and hurl the universe outwards again. A "Big Bounce" if you will.

I say this because I've noticed that God likes to repeat Himself -- winter, spring, summer, fall -- man, woman, birth, death, infinity -- etc.

[KrazyHorse]

I wish this thread was more serious so I could **** on some people about their stupidity.

[SlowwHand]

Go ahead. I'll enjoy it for a change. I can't believe there's even a discussion about it.

[JEELEN]

Please let's try to keep any actual science out of this thread and restrict it to wild speculation instead.

Which leaves anything posted or polled as nothing but wild speculation. So, no comment.