--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it [the universe] was expanding fairly…" description: "\"If it [the universe] was expanding fairly slowly, the force of gravity would cause it eventually to stop expanding and then to start contracting. Howev..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/853/stephen-hawking-389_causes_if-it-the-universe-was-expanding-fairly_691971.jpg" --- # If it \[the universe\] was expanding fairly slowly, the… ![“If it [the universe] was expanding fairly slowly, the force of gravity would cause it eventually to stop expanding and then to start contracting. However, if it was expanding at more than a certain critical rate, gravity would never be strong enough to stop it, and the universe would continue to…” quote by Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/853/stephen-hawking-389_causes_if-it-the-universe-was-expanding-fairly_691971.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/853/stephen-hawking-389_causes_if-it-the-universe-was-expanding-fairly_691971.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/853/stephen-hawking-389_causes_if-it-the-universe-was-expanding-fairly_691971.jpg) > “If it \[the universe\] was expanding fairly slowly, the force of gravity would cause it eventually to stop expanding and then to start contracting. However, if it was expanding at more than a certain critical rate, gravity would never be strong enough to stop it, and the universe would continue to expand forever.” [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If the universe expands slowly, gravity can halt and reverse it; if expansion exceeds a critical speed, gravity cannot stop it, leading to perpetual expansion. **In simple terms:** Slow expansion stops, fast expansion never stops. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of expansion rate in cosmic fate. Themes cosmology gravity expansion future physics Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type scientific educational When to use this quote - Astronomy research - educational talks - science documentaries - university courses Key Concepts Critical density dark energy big crunch heat death Questions to Reflect On - How does this idea influence our view of the universe's destiny? A Different Perspective Does the concept of a critical expansion rate account for unknown forces? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Contracting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contracting/) [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Expanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expanding/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Force Gravity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force-gravity-539925/) [Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forever/) [Gravity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gravity/) [Gravity Cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gravity-cause-4396608/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rate/) [Stop Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-universe-447410/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-enough/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Universe Continue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe-continue-1763328/) [Universe Expanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe-expanding-320269/) ## Related quotes > [For many artists the universe is expanding; for some it is contracting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smithson/for-many-artists-the-universe-is-expanding-for-some-it-is-contracting/) [Robert Smithson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smithson/) > [“Ready Three two one GO.!! 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