Cosmic inflation caused the universe to expand, for a brief period, at faster than lightspeed. But special relativity says that nothing can move faster than lightspeed. How can this contradiction be resolved?
A) We now realize that special relativity does not apply to dark energy.
B) The laws of specially relativity were not valid during the inflationary period, but the other laws (such as conservation of energy) were valid.
C) Special relativity says nothing can move through space at faster than lightspeed, but doesn't restrict the speed at which space can expand.
D) It hasn't yet been resolved, but scientists are working on resolving it.
E) The laws of physics (conservation of energy, special relativity, etc.) as we presently know them were not valid during the "inflationary period" that existed for a fraction of a second into the big bang.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Special relativity limits the speed of objects moving through space, not the expansion of space itself. During cosmic inflation, space itself expanded rapidly, which is not restricted by special relativity.

Cosmic Inflation Caused the Universe to Expand, for a Brief