Energy of the Universe

NextFeynman

Seeing as energy is conserved throughout the universe, did all the energy of the universe begin at the same time as our universe?

phinds

I THINK it works like this: conservation of energy, as far as is presently known, is a local phenomenon and may not hold across cosmological distances, so conservation of energy throughout even the observable universe is unknown, and certainly is unknown throughout the entire universe.

mathman

Ordinary matter, dark matter, and ordinary energy are conserved, although interchangeable. Dark energy is increasing with the expansion of the universe.

Note: this is my understanding - I could be wrong.

NextFeynman

So, would it be safe to assume that the universe is gaining energy as it expands or would it be impossible to tell

phinds

Yes, so much so that I have heard one theory, I think posted here on this forum, that the universe moves towards a singularity of infinite energy density because of the exponential overall increase in dark energy. I have no idea how solid that theory is.

Drakkith

I believe light loses energy over time due to redshift from expansion.

phinds

Yeah, it's been making me a little tired too.

Drakkith

Have you been expanding recently Phinds?

phinds

Absolutely, and with Thanksgiving on a couple days away I fear further expansion.

Drakkith

Have some turkey for me, as I fear I will not have the opportunity to enjoy any.

phinds

Why? I thought they served turkey to the inmates. You mean it's the same old prison food even on Thanksgiving?

NextFeynman

Michio says that the strings of M-Theory vibrate throughout 11 dimensional hyperspace, he also says that the dimensions are curled up so tiny we cant see them, so when our universe first started, by whatever means, 3 of the ten spatial dimensions "popped" out while the other 7 stayed tucked away, and if the universe is getting larger through dark energy couldn't dark energy be the strings blowing up three dimensions of the ten that are tucked into them?

Chronos

Dont let him fool you, phinds, they hand out turkey 'nuggets' like candy in the joint over the holidays.

phinds

Interesting but fanciful speculation. Do you have any references to mainstream physics discussing that? If not, it is against forum rules (unsubstantiated personal speculation).

EDIT: I mean OTHER than TV personalities (Kaku USED to be a serious physicist but is now a popularizer of the worst sort)

Chronos

Unfortunately, Dr. Kaku frequently speaks of M-theory as if it were Newtons theory of gravity - well accepted and revered by mainstream science. It is not. But, he does create this impression with lay people via this questionable tactic.

NextFeynman

Sorry for the speculation, just wondering if It could be plausible.

phinds

As I said, it IS an interesting speculation but the mods are pretty strict, and I believe with excellent reason, about keeping this forum devoted to established science.