In a universe of infinite space and time, is it possible for something to happen once

Neapolitan · 12-04-2012, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

Many would probably argue that, in a universe of infinite space, time and perhaps one should add infinite matter so that there's a lot going on in that universe, there would have been or will be an infinite amount of Tores who share their thoughts on this topic on a website called musicbanter. I guess given infinity and all, one could argue that not only would there exist an infinite amount of Tores doing this seperated in time, but there would be an infinite amount of Tores doing it at the same time.

But I agree with you Neapolitan that at the core, physical laws dictate the nature of possibilities and ThePhanastasio might agree with me when I think that I am only doing this now. I won't exist millions of years in the future.

Wow we actually agree on something.

There is different ways to look at infinity. Take the "line" and a "ray" for instance. A ray proceeds towards infinity in only one direction. A line proceeds towards infinity in two directions.

This universe time flow foward and is like a "ray" (-------->)
where the moment of singularity would be the point in the beginning of the ray representing time.

-------->
Singularity - Big Bang - hyper inflation - annihilation of anti matter - formation of the fundamental force - etc etc - stellar cloud - formation of the solar system - formation of Earth in deep time -- now ---> the future (the Big Rip, The Big Crunch, or Steady State)

Now if time was a "line" and proceeded infinitely in to two directions, where would any of that (the history of the universe) fall on the time line? For that infinite universe to exist it would need everything to exist at one, the Fundamental Forces couldn 't evolve. In such a universe the Big Bang couldn't happen and the Universe wouldn't evolve, it would always have to be in a steady state.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tore

I think an infinite universe could be compared to an infinite sequence of numbers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 etc. The number 1 will reappear an infinite amount of times backwards and forwards in the sequence (f.ex in the numbers -124, 315 or 1111), but the exact value of 1 will only appear once. So if you're wondering if 1 will reappear, it will, but it won't be the same 1.

When you say "1 will reappear" what do you mean?
When you are talking about "one" like you said it could the value of one or the symbol of one (1). The value of 1 is unique, while the symbol of one hypothetically can appear an infinite amout of time it the set of Natural Numbers were writen out on I guess infinitely long piece of paper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Face

There would be if there was an infinite amount of space and time.

Theoretically, all you would need is one hydrogen atom. There are an infinite number of spaces for it to occupy (infinite space) and an infinite number of positions for it to take (infinite time).

So infinite possibilities doesn't necessarily require breaking laws of physics.

Are you talking about infinite space, or infinite dimensions? Hypothetically space is infinite, think of it as three infinte lines pointing the three different dimensions (X,Y,Z). The matter which fill the space in the universe and the size of the universe is unknown. Scientists don't know how large the universe is beyond the visible edge of universe.