Dark energy's affect on light?

In summary, dark energy is simply a name given to whatever is causing the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. It is not actually an energy and some scientists prefer to call it "vacuum curvature." This curvature is very slight and does not affect light in any significant way, so it would not cause light beams to damage things. The Cosmological Constant, which represents this curvature, is very un-dynamic and does not have physical effects on light.
  • #1
alext180
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If dark energy repels things at the speed of light, does that mean if light energy is produced near it, it would repel it so hard and fast that it could actually damage things with a light beam? Basically what I'm asking is does dark energy repel light and if so could the light beams damage things?
 
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alext180 said:
If dark energy repels things at the speed of light, does that mean if light energy is produced near it, it would repel it so hard and fast that it could actually damage things with a light beam? Basically what I'm asking is does dark energy repel light and if so could the light beams damage things?

It hasn't been shown to actually be an energy, Alex. So the name is a bit misleading. What seems to fit the observations best so far is simply a curvature constant that appears in the GR equation. A very small residual curvature that is inherent in spacetime geometry. Not necessarily resulting from any mysterious "energy". Over the past couple of years some scientists have started preferring to call it "vacuum curvature" instead of "dark energy".

I can tell you the exact curvature if you want to know, it is measured in units of inverse area.
A curvature is the reciprocal of an area ("one over" some area expressed in square kilometers or square lightyears). So a very tiny built in curvature corresponds to a very big area. That is just how the Cosmological Constant happens to be expressed mathematically---it's a constant curvature.

It contributes to expansion and expansion is what stretches wavelengths and redshifts light, but this expansion is very very slight, only 1/140 of one percent every million years. And the inherent curvature has contributed so far only a fraction of that!

Otherwise the Cosmo curvature Constant does not affect light! It is very un-dynamic. Not a big deal. So you would not expect it to deflect light or cause physical effects like that.

I agree in general with what Drakkith said just now.
 

1. What is dark energy and how does it affect light?

Dark energy is a theoretical form of energy that makes up about 68% of the known universe. It is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe. Dark energy affects light by causing it to stretch, making it appear redder, and decreasing its brightness as it travels through space.

2. How is dark energy related to the expansion of the universe?

Dark energy is believed to be the driving force behind the accelerated expansion of the universe. It produces a repulsive force that counteracts the attractive force of gravity, causing the universe to expand at an increasing rate.

3. Does dark energy only affect light or does it also affect other forms of energy?

Dark energy affects all forms of energy, including light. However, its effects on light are more noticeable due to the fact that light is the fastest moving form of energy and can travel vast distances.

4. Can dark energy be detected or measured?

Currently, dark energy cannot be directly detected or measured. However, scientists are able to indirectly measure its effects on the expansion of the universe and the behavior of light.

5. Could dark energy eventually cause the universe to collapse?

It is highly unlikely that dark energy will cause the universe to collapse. In fact, it is believed that the accelerating expansion caused by dark energy will continue to accelerate, eventually leading to a "big rip" in which the universe will continue to expand at an ever-increasing rate until all matter is torn apart.

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