I’m not sure if this answers the question, but it might help.
Everything in space is moving, but it’s not expanding outward from a central point, like an explosion. Instead, the space between the things is getting bigger.
The balloon analogy gets thrown around a lot, but I find it misleading- It’s not about the balloon getting bigger, expanding outward from the center of the sphere. It’s more about the surface of that balloon stretching.
The rubber sheet analogy helps. Scatter a bunch of things on a infinite rubber sheet. Now stretch that in all directions - the things get further apart, but are not moving away from a central point.
Lysergid@lemmy.ml 4 days ago
Does it mean space being created out of nothing between things? I’m not good at it but wouldn’t that violate conservation of energy?
gazter@aussie.zone 3 days ago
I believe that’s what dark energy is- the shortfall from not violating conservation of energy, given what we know about physics vs what we observe in the universe.
NotLemming@lemm.ee 3 days ago
How? There’s nothing between the things so I’m guessing there’s no energy?
Lysergid@lemmy.ml 3 days ago
My understanding Quantum field theory says virtual particles can be created out of vacuum fluctuations, which makes me think there will be more energy after expansion. Again, I might be getting it wrong.
NotLemming@lemm.ee 3 days ago
I’d say you’ve more chance of being right than me since I know nothing about it. I mean how can a particle be virtual lol. I thought a vacuum meant no particles.