Is it theoretically possible to out accelerate the expansion of the universe?

Question

Assume I was at the edge of the universe traveling at close to the speed of the expansion of the universe. Is it possible to accelerate faster than this expansion? Please explain with detail. Thanks.

Answer 1

If the universe is expanding from big bang, lets assume it is expanding evenly in all direction in a spherical form.

You are moving at the same speed of universe at the edge. Meaning we can ignore the expanding speed.

Now consider circular movement. You are at the edge, if you move along the edge in a circular motion, with enough speed you will be thrown away from the circular movement. This way you can out run the expanding speed of universe.

Example: What happens if you drive too fast at a corner?

Just an idea, how far it is true and can work, you calculate it yourself.  

Answer 2

Hmmm.  Tough theoretical question.  I'm a pragmatist.  Never mind the theory.  Let's build a ship and try it.

Answer 3

Yes, a circle and sphere does have an end. But, the idea isn't that we exist inside a circle, but rather we exist on its surface.

The idea is that the universe is made of a fabric of space and time called space-time. This fabric is believed to be like an expanding balloon. And, we exist on the surface, not inside of it. Why do we think this? Because all galaxies seem to be expanding out from us, when in reality they are expanding from each other.

How to understand this? Well, imagine you are on the surface of an explanding balloon and your friend is 10 meters away. As the balloon expands, the distance increases and it appears he is moving away from you, and you appear to be moving away from him. IN fact, if you had a hundred people on the surface, everyone would say, "Everyone is accelerating away from me". And, everyone would think they are at the "center", and it appears the milky way is at the center of the universe.

What is crazier is that if you left Earth and traveled in a straight line, you owuld eventually end up back at earth assuming nothing moved from its place.

That is why there is no "edge" of the universe. I pesonally disagree with Dr. Hawking and his collegues in astrophysics. To think one can leave point A and return at point A in 3-D space is perposterous. I think its time for some new ideas in astrophysics. They're just trying too hard to make Relativity and the current Big Bang theories work. And yes, they are trying to MAKE them work.

And, lets assume that you and I are right. Lets assume that rather than exist on the surface of a spherical universe, we exist inside of it. In that case, no, you cannot out-accelerate the expansion of the universe. The fabric of space-time is the thing that is making the galaxies spread apart at faster-than-light speeds. Matter inside space-time cannot go faster than light, but space-time can (the equations work out that way). The only way to reach the edge of the universe is to create some form of teleportation, OR you would have to find a way to move space time itself around the ship you are flying.

And some people say the concept of God is far fetch. HA!

Take care, God bless, and if you have anymore questions, write me or expand you question further. Thanks.

Answer 4

There is no edge of the universe. There is no void space, and no outside the universe. All of space is filled with matter and energy everywhere, and the space expands between the galaxies. There is no way to "out-accelerate" it; which direction would you fly?

Answer 5

Well, I've read that the rate of expansion can actually exceed the speed of light over great distances, so since you can't go faster than that, I'd have to say "nope."

Besides, I believe that it's generally agreed that the universe is finite, closed, and unbounded - which means that it's a big shape of some sort so that if you go in one direction long enough, you can eventually get back to where you started. That being the case, you can't outrun the expansion because it's actually in a direction perpendicular to space. (wrap yer noodle around THAT idea)

Answer 6

  Take an atom traveling at the speed of light to the edge of the universe.  Once an atoms leaves space it slows down.

Answer 7

Yes it is indeed possible and probable, When science finds the energy source responsible for the big bang, such energy that has never been witnessed by man possibly equal to or greater than ten trillion million billion hydrogen bombs then put this energy to practical use imagine the speed that could be attained. Without scientific documentation and strong evidence it would be hard to imagine enough energy to propel the mass of the universe from singularity to where it is 13.7 billion years later and I'm told it's still expanding at the same rate.WOW I almost want to think SUPERNATURAL but I curb the urge...james the hollow earth man

Answer 8

This can only currently be considered an experiment of the mind.

I'm not certain as to the dynamics of the "edge" of the universe.

Perhaps there is a rigid boundary where the universe ends.  

Perhaps there's a "fading" out near the "edge" where the properties of the universe begin deteriorate, and continuing away from the universe within such a "gray area" would land you in a "place" where none of the laws of our universe are bound by anything.

Perhaps we exist on the universe, and not in it...  in which case, just like traveling on earth, you would eventually complete an enormous "circle."

Perhaps the finite universe is inaccurate, and there truly is no edge.  No matter what evidence we do have to the contrary, I haven't found any conclusive "proof" either way that it is finite...  although an infinite universe would poke a great many holes in our understanding of the big bang.

If such speeds became possible, however, I find it an intriguing question and would enjoy volunteering for this experiment.  Although, there may be a "point of no return" where, even though we can travel at these hypothetical speeds, maybe we would be unable to get back...  or even send our findings back to earth, leaving our discoveries buried in the cosmos

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Answer 9

The universe isn't a sphere via Big Bang theory... its a hypersphere. There is no edge. If you were to take a spaceship away from Earth in an absolutely straight line you would end up right back at Earth. Its an odd phenomena. It is theoretically possible to see the same star on opposite sides of the sky... if the universe was old enough.

And this is assuming the universe is not infinite... which is still possible in the Big Bang theory.

*edit*

In response to Paul W., you think the theories based on the Big Bang are "perposterous"? How about bending light? or seeing the first galaxies form through a telescope? or how about time slowing down when traveling quickly? Many odder things have been discovered to be true and you think something is not true because it stretches what we believe as average?

*edit*

Oh, and check out the source below. It is very interesting =)

Answer 10

Yes but:

1. The universe doesn't have and "edge".

Does a circle have en end?

2. Space is expanding in all directions at once.

Which would you pick? Relative to where?

3. The reason I said yes was that any two points you can conceivably reach will be moving so slowly relative to each-other that overcoming

the expansion would be easy.