The expanding universe; chicken or egg?

[pioneer]

There are two ways to view the expansion of the universe. The expansion of matter is causing space-time to expand. Or the expansion of space-time is causing matter to expand. There is a simple experiment that can prove which of the two is true.

 

Before getting into the experiment, I would like show how both create very similar visual effects. In scenario one, we have a zone of high mass density, with a deep space-time well around the mass. If we expand the mass, so the mass density lowers, the space-time will expand within the volume. In scenario two, if we expand space-time about the starting mass, this will cause the mass to expand.

 

The question becomes, do these two scenarios create a difference we can measure? The answer is yes, which is going to be the basis for the experiment.

 

If space-time expansion is the cause of the matter expanding, when the universe was 1/4th the current size, time was dilated to half its current value even in deep empty space away from zones of matter. As such, if we took a radioactive element with a known half life, and could find a place in deep space, when the universe was 1/4 the current size, we should measure the half-life doubled. This is because expanding space-time would create homogeneity in space apart from matter.

 

On the other hand, if matter expanding is expanding space-time, the half life will change differently. One way to see this is consider a massive zone that creates a deep space-time well. When we are close the mass half life will increase. However, we don't have to go too far away until the half life approaches what we measure on earth, since the impact of the mass on space-time, decays quickly with distance.

 

The expanding space-time leading mass needs to show half life elongation in empty space proportional into universe size. The other scenario does not predict the same half life elongation curves but one that reaches steady state much faster.

Edited September 17, 2010 by pioneer