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Re: Cosmological redshift



You either have (a) periodic boundary conditions in a closed universe
or (b) no boundary conditions in an open or flat one. In the former
case, you have a discrete set of modes. In the latter, it
is a continuous set. Doesn't make much difference in
either case. The universe is so large that the discrete set is near
enough continuous for most purposes.

Metaphysics? You can make an argument but only in the sense that it
is not yet experimentally verifiable. Of course, the Bose-Einstein
condensate was in a similar situation not so long ago.

What corresponds to the walls in the expanding universe, Leigh?

There are no walls. In the case of the closed universe the normal
modes may be looked upon as closed loops, in which case the number
of nodes in each is preserved as the loop expands with the universe.
Beyond such handwaving arguments I'm afraid I can't go. Of course
there are no walls in the open universe.

All of this is very nearly in the realm of metaphysics rather than
physics in my opinion.

Leigh




Paul J. Camp "The Beauty of the Universe
Assistant Professor of Physics consists not only of unity
Coastal Carolina University in variety but also of
Conway, SC 29528 variety in unity.
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