Thread Closed

Does Hubble's law implies accelerated expansion?

 
Share Thread Thread Tools
Oct27-09, 02:31 PM   #1
 

Does Hubble's law implies accelerated expansion?


I`ve read that the universes expansion is accelerating. To explain this we have introduced concept of Dark matter and energy.
However, Hubble's law: v = H*d means that a speed that separates two points is proportional to their distance. But since they are moving apart the distance becomes greater and so the speed must become greater. I think this means the speed of expansion is increasing. So the expansion of the universe is accelerating.
I`m sure I`ve got something wrong here, is the acceleration we explain with Dark energy a "surplus"?
Hope I made myself clear.
 
PhysOrg.com
PhysOrg
science news on PhysOrg.com

>> 'Whodunnit' of Irish potato famine solved
>> The mammoth's lament: Study shows how cosmic impact sparked devastating climate change
>> Curiosity Mars rover drills second rock target
Oct27-09, 03:01 PM   #2
 
No, you are confusing yourself by thinking of the rate of expansion as a speed. It's not. It's a percentage per unit time, approximately H = 0.007% per million years.
 
Oct27-09, 03:08 PM   #3
 
No. It is just saying that universe is expanding. It says nothing about universes acceleration or deacceleration of expansion throughout time.
 
Oct27-09, 03:33 PM   #4
 
Recognitions:
Gold Membership Gold Member

Does Hubble's law implies accelerated expansion?


There are a number of subtlies underlying the answer to your question.

Observations and measurements in 1998 surprised most scientists, including those doing the work, finding the expansion of the universe is currently accelerating , although the Hubble factor is still decreasing over time.

The Hubble "constant" is not really constant varing with time according to your choice of cosmological model.

Try as a starter: http://www.physicsforums.com/newrepl...te=1&p=2413312
and New Wrights tutorial and FAQ: http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~wright/cosmology_faq.html
 
Oct28-09, 03:10 AM   #5
Ich
 
Recognitions:
Science Advisor Science Advisor
But since they are moving apart the distance becomes greater and so the speed must become greater. I think this means the speed of expansion is increasing.
Exactly. What you describe here is the case of a constant Hubble parameter, which is equivalent to exponential acceleration.
In a non-accelerating universe the Hubble parameter will be proportinal to 1/t. Distance d = v*t, v=const -> H = d/v ~ 1/t.
 
Thread Closed
Thread Tools


Similar Threads for: Does Hubble's law implies accelerated expansion?
Thread Forum Replies
Hubble's law and expansion question Advanced Physics Homework 4
show that ((p implies q) and (q implies r)) implies (p implies r) is a tautology Calculus & Beyond Homework 2
Help wanted with accelerated expansion and gr Cosmology 21
Accelerated expansion revisited Cosmology 37
Accelerated expansion: is the jury still out? General Astronomy 3