- NEW!
by Tinkerbell on November 29th, 2007
The mass of the universe should govern the expansion of the universe. If there is too little as things "fly" apart (note this is not really what is happening but it is a good "lie" for now!) their mutual attraction (which becomes less as the distance increases) is not enough to hold it together and they expand indefinitely. If there is enough mass the universe should start to slow down and eventually start to re-collapse under its own gravity.
However recent studies have showed that there is something called Dark Energy and Dark Matter which is also affecting this process. The Dark Energy (as we understand it) is actually accelerating the universe.
EDIT: I should have added that the initial kick of the big bang is what started everything "flying" apart (actually it is creating space but that's another discussion!)
by Gideon on November 29th, 2007
I think it's part of the whole obesity epidemic thing...
by EL1 2 on November 29th, 2007
Unless otherwise affected, objects tend to stay in motion. Since it all started out as an outward explosion, lots of things are still moving outwards (expanding).
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