[MikeS (OP)]

Is Gravity the universes way of returning to its ground state?  (Gravity in a nutshell)

Einstein showed the equivalence between energy and mass.  He also showed that the passage of time and distance are relative. 

He proposed that gravity is the deformation of space-time by mass.
He could have said that gravity is the deformation of space-time by mass “in trying to reach its lowest ground state” which is proposed as zero energy, zero size and zero time. These being the conditions found within a black hole.

All mass within the universe has gravitational potential energy.
Consider two objects of non-zero mass (the more massive the easier to understand but the principle is the same).  When they combine, their combined mass is greater than their individual mass.  This increase in mass causes the passage of time in their locale to dilate which is equivalent to a decrease in energy.  (Einstein’s energy /mass equivalence principle)  Gravity is the process of mass loosing energy.  Mass attracts mass by falling into an ever decreasing (lower) energy well in space-time.

This will ultimately continue until the universe is contained within a singularity if unstopped.

[butchmurray]

I have toyed with essentially the same idea.

One camp posits the components of this universe are being pushed apart at an increasing rate of acceleration by dark matter that is only theorized to exist.

Another possible explanation is the components of this universe are being pulled toward a source of gravity that becomes greater as it attracts more and more mass thereby causing an increasing rate of acceleration. Gravity is known to exist.

Apply Ockam’s razor.

Proof of ‘directionality’ would go a long way in bolstering the gravity-centered assumption. To wit:

The components closer to the gravitational source than we are will be accelerating at a faster rate than the components further away than we are.

We will learn more when measurements that can quantify the exact rate of acceleration of these components can be made.


We have the technology but does the will exist?

[butchmurray]

I meant dark energy not dark matter!

[MikeS (OP)]

I have toyed with essentially the same idea.

One camp posits the components of this universe are being pushed apart at an increasing rate of acceleration by dark matter that is only theorized to exist.

Another possible explanation is the components of this universe are being pulled toward a source of gravity that becomes greater as it attracts more and more mass thereby causing an increasing rate of acceleration. Gravity is known to exist.

Apply Ockam’s razor.

Proof of ‘directionality’ would go a long way in bolstering the gravity-centered assumption. To wit:

The components closer to the gravitational source than we are will be accelerating at a faster rate than the components further away than we are.

We will learn more when measurements that can quantify the exact rate of acceleration of these components can be made.


We have the technology but does the will exist?

This thread is just part of my theory on Time and gravity which does mention expansion, is a lot longer but does clarify many issues.
I didn't mention 'expansion' in this, as regardless of whether it exists or not it does not affect the mechanism of gravity, it just affects which happens to be winning at the time, expansion or contraction.

All matter within the universe wants to combine with other matter and in so doing looses some gravitational potential energy.  This process is continuous.

The arrow of time is the same as the direction of gravity.  All mass is ultimately travelling toward a singularity at the end of the universe.

Gravity is the deformation of space-time by mass “in trying to reach its lowest ground state” which is proposed as zero energy, zero size and zero time.  Gravity is the process of mass loosing energy.  Mass attracts mass by falling into an ever decreasing (lower) energy well in space-time.

That's about as simple as it comes.  I believe Ocam would have been well pleased.

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=39214.0