If the big bang occurred at the center of the universe and the
universes matter is traveling at the speed of light relative to the
center of the universe according to Einsteins theory all protons
would only be a few days old relative to the big bangs original
position because they are traveling near the speed of light.Even tho
we as travelers on the matter of the universe perceive billions of
years to have passed. Toi the speeding protons no time or little time
has passed.

Also if the expansion of the universe ever slows down protons will
decay and we and all matter will cease to exist.

We're at rest with respect to our protons and they hardly ever decay.

uralph:
If the big bang occurred at the center of the universe and the
universes matter is traveling at the speed of light relative to the
center of the universe according to Einsteins theory all protons
would only be a few days old relative to the big bangs original
position because they are traveling near the speed of light.

Chip:
What is understood of the physics of the very early universe is that there was no pre-existing "center" or space from which to explode within. The "Big Bang" is not "exploding" out into pre-existing space from a specific "center". It is further theorized that time and space were created in the "Big Bang" and not pre-existing. Einstein doesn't directly address proton decay (being "a few days old") nor the "Big Bang" in his Relativity theories, but consideration of the speed of light (photons) is an important factor.

uralph:
Even tho we as travelers on the matter of the universe perceive billions of
years to have passed. Toi the speeding protons no time or little time
has passed.

Chip:
There can be no concept of "young" or "old" universes if "no time" has past. However, I think what you are saying is that at the speed of light, travel is instantaneous so no time has past.
1. The Big Bang is still on-going. (We're in it, and a result of it.)
2. The cosmos is expanding but matter, such as clusters of galaxies, (and even the Earth,) are not moving at the speed of light relative to each other.
3. The approximate age of the universe can be estimated from the enormous redshifts involved. So time is a factor in the universe.

uralph:
Also if the expansion of the universe ever slows down protons will decay and we and all matter will cease to exist.

Chip:
I think we will "cease to exist" long before all the protons decay. It is believed that the universe is accelerating. I cannot address what protons will do if the entire universe decelerates. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Chip on 2002-06-28 13:11 ]</font>

uralph, you are making a common mistake here. The "big bang" did not occur at "the center of the universe" and thus, everything is rushing away from "it". The big bang was (and is) the creation of the universe. Every point in the universe can be considered the "center". Thus, there is no singular "center" for the expansion. The expansion is isotropic.

_________________
When all is said and done - sit down and shut up!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kaptain K on 2002-06-28 19:25 ]</font>