O.K, so the universe stared life as a primeval atom, or a similar object??Well what was that object in?Answer: well... it could be dark matter (or a substance unknown to us...which dark matter is)What if dark matter acted as normal matter, the large 'vacuum' which was 'outside the universe' is actually eternal dark matter and the grouping of this into a central point due to a gravity type force, if not gravity itself, could lead to collisions of dark matter.This in turn could transform energy and may create 'matter' as we know it today. The transformation of dark matter to normal matter could be what we would perceive as an expansion of matter, which could link in with theories of inflation and thus the continued transformation of dark to normal matter could explain why the universe is expanding.Therefore the expanding universe could be a result of a far greater infinite (perhaps) expanse of dark matter.Only a theory, not very well explained or backed up in anyway, but thought I could lay it out on the table for you all to prod and jab at the concepts that could make it work.

By trapped i mean, for example, enclosed in an otherwise solid metal cube with no air spaces. would it stay a supercooled liquid or become a compacted solid, or some medium in between?

I have had this crazy idea about the nature of matter in my head for the last 10 years and I would like someone to help me understand why it’s crazy.

Is it possible that matter could be the fabric of space curved in such a way that it forms a semi-stable structure? The types of elementary particles possible could be limited by the possible stable arrangements of groups of these space-time ‘knots’ (the quarks within a proton for example). If gravity manifests as space time curvature why not take the next logical step and ask could matter be a different kind of space-time curvature/structure?

It would have the implication that matter is not freely able to move through space but is attached (and is part of) that space and would therefore be more resistant to movement the faster you try to move it. Is the impossibility of light speed travel an expression of the elasticity of the fabric of space?

Could the reason that energy moves in discrete units be that this is one of the only stable arrangement of the fabric of space that will allow the energy to leave the particle?

I understand that I have used space-time and the fabric of space interchangeably. I am referring to the underlying fabric of space.

Please unpick my craziness.

According to Einstein's famous equation E = MC2, or Energy = Mass times the speed of light times the speed of light. This tells us that anything that has mass, such as matter, is comprised entirely of energy. Any physical object with mass is therefore simply a lump of energy existing in some stable form.

As I understand it, all forms of energy, including chemical energy, kinetic energy and potential energy are covered by Einstein's equation, meaning that fundamentally all forms of energy are the same basic 'stuff' (for want of a better word). My question is, therefore, what exactly is energy? I want to get to a fundamental understanding of energy, because it seems that such an understanding would help to explain much of reality.

I'm not asking for explanations about work done etc, I'm asking at the fundamental level what is energy?

Could matter be spacetime twisted/pinched in a way that forms stable knot-like structures?

I understand that on earth we feel the heat of the Sun because it radiates light to earth which then gets trapped within our atmosphere and gives out heat.  Space, being a vaccum, would contain no heat as there is no matter to conduct the heat of the Sun, so how close could you get to the sun before you would feel any heat from it?  Also would the sun not be able to radiate heat in the form of light to human skin in the same way as it radiates heat to the earth?

Many Thanks

James Stretton (Colchester)