The expansion of the universe, as described by the Big Bang theory, is a complex topic that can be challenging to fully comprehend. It is important to note that the expansion of space itself is what causes galaxies to move apart, rather than matter moving through space faster than the speed of light.
During the very early moments of the universe, shortly after the Big Bang, the universe underwent a period of rapid expansion known as cosmic inflation. This inflationary period is theorized to have occurred within a fraction of a second, during which the universe expanded at an extraordinary rate. However, it is crucial to understand that during inflation, it is space itself that is expanding, not the matter within it moving faster than the speed of light.
The expansion of space is not limited by the constraints of objects within it. According to the theory of general relativity, the fabric of space itself can stretch and expand, carrying galaxies apart from one another. This expansion is not subject to the same limitations as objects moving within space.
While it may seem counterintuitive, it is important to note that the expansion of the universe does not violate the principle that matter cannot travel faster than the speed of light. Special relativity, a fundamental theory in physics, states that matter with mass cannot reach or exceed the speed of light in a vacuum. However, this limitation does not apply to the expansion of space itself.
To summarize, the rapid expansion of the universe during the early stages of the Big Bang does not involve matter moving faster than the speed of light. Instead, it is the expansion of space itself, driven by cosmic inflation, that causes galaxies to become increasingly distant from one another over time.