The expansion of the Universe can be modelled in 2 dimensions quite easily with an air balloon with galaxies glued to its surface. If we were small 2-dimensional ants living on the balloon's surface, we would see the distances between galaxies steadily increasing when the balloon expands. And that's exactly what we see in 3 dimensions now -- the expansion of the Universe! :)
2006/07 Physikshow of the University of Bonn.
http://www.physikshow.uni-bonn.de/
@maxwellsdaemon7 No, the unit of distance stays the same, one foot = one foot.
The space is expanding.
gregrutz 1 year ago
I have a question. An often quoted analogy to describe the expansion of the universe is that of an expanding balloon, with points on the balloon representing galaxies. As the balloon expands, the points recede from each other, but doesn't the 'unit' of distance also expand with the balloon, so that the 'distance' between points remain the same? Can anyone care to enlighten me?
maxwellsdaemon7 2 years ago
cute model! hehehe.... :o) my kids will like it!
marcuso 4 years ago