What do we know about the mysterious dark energy and dark matter?

In summary, the conversation discusses the topic of "dark" stuff, specifically dark energy and dark matter. The conversation raises questions about the composition of these entities, their relation to energy and matter as we experience them, their separation from each other, and their potential connection to black holes. The conversation also mentions a link that may provide further information on the subject.
  • #1
jhe1984
100
0
I apologize in advance if this is the wrong forum for this thread...

My overall question is:

What specifics, if any, do we know about the "dark" stuff - ie dark energy and dark matter?

Specifically:

Do we know anything about what the darkstuffs are made of (either experimentally or through well-reasoned theories)??

Are the terms "energy" and "matter" related in any way to the energy and matter that we experience - or are they simply arbitrary descriptors?

How do we know that dark energy and dark matter are two separate entities - and furthermore, is their "darkness" necessarily the same: as in dark energy and dark matter occupy the same dark dimension?

Does either darkstuff have any relation to black holes, which I presume are dark in their own way??

Thanks in advance!

:biggrin:

PS - Props to those in charge: I really dig these forums!
 
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  • #2

1. What is dark matter?

Dark matter is a type of matter that does not interact with light and therefore cannot be seen or detected using traditional methods. It is believed to make up about 27% of the universe and is responsible for the gravitational pull that holds galaxies together.

2. How is dark matter different from regular matter?

Dark matter is different from regular matter in that it does not reflect, absorb, or emit light. It also does not interact with regular matter through electromagnetic forces, making it very difficult to detect and study.

3. What evidence do we have for the existence of dark matter?

There is a lot of evidence for the existence of dark matter, including the observation of galaxy rotation curves, gravitational lensing, and the large-scale structure of the universe. Additionally, the standard model of cosmology, which is supported by a wealth of observational data, relies on the existence of dark matter to explain certain phenomena.

4. What is dark energy?

Dark energy is a mysterious force that is thought to make up about 68% of the universe. It is responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe and is believed to counteract the gravitational pull of matter.

5. How do scientists study dark matter and dark energy?

Scientists study dark matter and dark energy using a variety of methods, including observations of galaxy rotation curves, gravitational lensing, and the cosmic microwave background radiation. They also use mathematical models and simulations to better understand the properties and behavior of these elusive phenomena.

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