| Can the Universe Change Shape?
According to Einstein, the universe is a space time
continuum that can take one of three forms, determined by the
amount of matter and energy it contains. A universe that is a
continuum is an infinite universe. It is a universe that lacks
a beginning and it will never end. This is the very definition
of a continuum. Only substances that are finite can endings be
predicted, thus when the universe is described as having a
beginning we should hear second about its predictable ending.
Things that are finite are predictable, such as the elements and
radioactive decay.
Can the universe change shape? Yes, according to
Einstein's equation E=MC^2. The shape of the universe is
determined by the amount of matter and energy it contains.
The possible shapes are as follows:
- Positive curvature: The cosmos is like a sphere.
Travel far enough and you'll come back to the starting
point. Draw a triangle, and it will have more than 180
degrees. Without dark energy, this universe will slow, stop
and recollapse, with dark energy, the expansion will
continue.
- Flat: You'll never return to your starting point:
triangles have precisely 180 degrees, as they do in
geometry. Even without dark energy, this universe will
expand forever, out more and more slowly all the time. With
it, the expansion gets even faster. This is the shape of
our universe according to the latest observations
- Negative Curvature: Travelers never return: triangles
always have less than 180 degrees. And expansion will
barely slow, even without dark energy.
When the ratio of Matter to energy changes in the
Universe, then the Universe can change Shape.
- Positive curvature: Ratio of Matter is much greater
than energy
- Flat: Ratio of Matter to energy is about equal
- Negative Curvature: Ratio of Mater is much less than
energy (More energy and less mass)
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