esmith000 t1_jedcpz2 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:46 AM

Reply to comment by GsTSaien in ELi5 If the universe is expanding, what is it expanding into? by cashmoneyhash

Yes.

IamMe90 t1_jedks8b wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:21 AM

Great answer bro. Really clarifies things for us who were following your conversation thread.

Mind expounding behind the word "yes" in your answer?

esmith000 t1_jeefui3 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 12:46 PM

Simple google search.

Does space itself have energy?

Vacuum energy is an underlying background energy that exists in space throughout the entire Universe. The vacuum energy is a special case of zero-point energy that relates to the quantum vacuum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_energy#:~:text=Vacuum%20energy%20is%20an%20underlying,relates%20to%20the%20quantum%20vacuum.

Also, look up quantum fields. These exist outside of space and time and are everywhere. So space, even going with metaphor that it is mostly nothing isn't all there is. There is a whole other realm of stuff. The consensus is in physics is that the universe emerged from quantum fields.