I'm too dumb to be an atheist

[fr0d0]

Is an equal problem to beginnings > what's at the edge of the universe? It can't be infinite. If it goes to nothing, is nothing an area to measure? If it's something, is that a solid default state? If it folds back onto itself and is also the opposite end of the universe, are we in a bubble like rupture?

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

What are you talking about, the universe IS infinite and constantly expanding. Doesn't everyone know that?

[fr0d0]

If it's expanding it can't be infinite. What is it expanding into? What about entropy?

[Alex K]

Two links on the from hydrogen till now part:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity Don't be scared by the math it is all basic simple observed percentages dressed up to look impressive and overly complicated (dam scientists just love to LOOK super smart more than anything don't they?), just ignore the parts you don't get.

If the elements themselves are too confusing, start here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_element

Then move on to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geochronology and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiometric_dating.

Actually pretty simple, but very interesting stuff largely overlooked by many pop shows who tend to focus on bleeding edge science.

Speaking of hydrogen, I wonder if you had a very large volume of pure hydrogen and subjected it to fantastic pressures if it would go nuclear?

I think so, although I am not 100% sure whether pressure is enough or if one needs high temperatures. Nuclear fusion happens whenever the protons which constitute the hydrogen nuclei are forced to come together so closely that their electric repulsion is overcome by the stronger and attractive, but short-ranged "strong force". I don't know what pressure would be needed at room temperature to enforce this proximity. If you don't want to rely on pressure, you need to get the protons up to high speeds corresponding to temperatures of more than 100 million kelvins. This is done in conventional fusion designs like tokamaks and stellarators. In stars where there is also high pressure and density, half of that suffices.

Concerning the "going nuclear", you have to keep in mind that fusion does not have a true chain reaction like in fission, so a few nuclei fusing wouldn't suddenly start an H bomb. That's why you need a fission A bomb to start an H bomb: it provides the temperature and pressure to fuse many nuclei at once. There is only chain reaction in the sense of a positive feedback where the heat from the fusion reaction can enable further fusion reactions.

[Miss Meng]

What are you talking about, the universe IS infinite and constantly expanding. Doesn't everyone know that?

Infinite? How do you know that?

~ Miss Meng
Google isn't a viable justification.

[Heywood]

If it's expanding it can't be infinite. What is it expanding into? What about entropy?

Not all infinities are the same. Imagine a circle. Now imagine drawing straight lines from the center of the circle thru each of the points which make up the perimeter. You would have to draw an infinite number of lines to go thru every point. Now draw a larger circle around the original one. That infinite number of lines you drew to go thru every point that made up the original circle isn't enough to go thru every point that makes up the larger circle....but you should have enough cause you drew an infinite number of them right? Wrong, some infinities are larger than others.

[fr0d0]

An infinite constricted cannot be infinite surely. Two infinites must always be equal, otherwise one infinite would need to be described as infinite with a constrictor. And you're talking infinitesimal rather than infinite: infinitely small as opposed to infinitely big.

[Kayenneh]

What is it expanding into?

Itself.

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I swear, I'm not a spambot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3MWRvLndzs

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[fr0d0]

That would be contracting then?

[Alex K]

What are you talking about, the universe IS infinite and constantly expanding. Doesn't everyone know that?

Infinite? How do you know that?

~ Miss Meng
Google isn't a viable justification.

Indeed it is not known and probably cannot be known (but it can possibly be falsified)

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What is it expanding into?

Itself.

It doesn't need to expand into anything. Just think of it as all the rulers within shrinking.