Expansion without Inflation

The Universe is expanding. While expansion is an easy term to understand in general; it becomes inappropriately difficult to fathom on universal terms. Common understanding is that our Universe started with Big Bang as an extremely hot and infinitely dense point. From this point object; expansion started to infinite limits.

Obviously; if the Universe started as a point; it went through a lot of expansion to become so huge that it seems almost infinite. But if the Universe started expanding with the Big Bang; when did it stopped?

At the very early age; our Universe experienced inflation! Inflation is a tricky term. Economically; inflation means increase in the velocity of currency. However; the Inflation in Universal terms suggest that the space in Universe expanded faster than the speed of Light. It should be noted that speed of Light is considered a definite constant and there are no valid contradictions observed against the constant value of light till now.

On the other hand; if we consider the general normal visible physical matter as the omniscient currency of our Universe; then this currency didn't actually inflated during the period of Inflation of Universe. Rather; after this period of inflation; when the expanded space of Universe started cooling of; it started producing matter out of space. Yea; here I must mention the Einstein's idea of conversion of energy and mass.

Even after inflation; the Universe continued to expand and while some people believed cyclic theory of Universe suggesting that our Universe may start deflating or contracting again to reach the status of point object; it seems untrue! Mr. Hubble almost showed it with certainty that despite all cyclic beliefs; our universe is still expanding. There came the idea of dark energy; something; some energy; that is causing this expansion to continue.

So, our universe is expanding and it will continue to expand. Does this mean everything within the space is also expanding? From general point of view; it seems viable. A seed grows to a plant, to a shrub, to a tree...expansion is life. But then it ends; it shrinks!

Here comes the role of gravity. Gravity is the force; an energy that opposes the expanding universe and tries to bind the matter of Universe. However; expansion is not about the matter; Space is expanding; not the matter. And while matter did enjoyed period of Inflation during which it was formed; and it is true that matter continues to be formed and destroyed and converted to energy again and again; we cannot say that matter is expanding with the expanding Universe. We cannot say this because matter is controlled by the rule of Gravity.

Gravity provides a closet to the material particles which acts as resistance against expanding Universe. However; in future; during the phase of extreme dark energy; big freeze and big rip have been hypothesized!

We are enjoying the time of Gravity; the rule of gravity. Hence while Universe is expanding; matter is not; we are not expanding with ease passing second.

Here is a good post on this subject on this blog which inspired me to write this! The picture below is taken from the same blog post!