Inflation resolves the horizon problem

In summary, inflation removes the horizon problem of standard cosmology by having a rapid expansion phase that disconnects parts of the universe that were previously causally connected. This solves the issue of the temperature of distant objects appearing to be the same, which would only make sense if they were in causal contact and came into thermal equilibrium. The inflationary phase begins after the time of dark energy and matter equality, and is characterized by exponential growth due to dark energy dominance. This phase can be observed at a redshift of 16.54.
  • #1
Apashanka
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Can anyone please explain how inflation removes the horizon. problem of standard cosmology .
As much I know inflation is a period of accelerated expansion which can be approximated by ~exp(βt) which can be achieved if the energy density remains constt. throughout (e.g ≠ε(t)),which is the case for the vacuum energy (since P=-ρ)
 
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  • #2
It expands a causally connected region to envelop the entire current horizon.
 
  • #3
Orodruin said:
It expands a causally connected region to envelop the entire current horizon.
Will you please explain it in details...
Thank you
 
  • #4
If I look to the left, the oldest light I can see has been traveling for 13.9bn years. If I look to the right, the oldest light I can see has been traveling for 13.9bn years. Yet the things I'm looking at appear to be at the same temperature. Why? It would only make sense if they were in causal contact and came into thermal equilibrium. But that would need at least 2×13.9bn years, so there isn't time.

Inflation solves the problem by having a rapid expansion phase that takes parts of the universe that were causally connected and disconnects them.
 
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  • #5
Exactly what part of that is unclear?

If you expect answers tailored to your level you cannot just assume that people know where that is. You need to describe your current understanding and what part you find unclear.

You cannot expect people to write you a textbook excerpt. There are several good resources online. Have you read about it and in that case what was not clear?
 
  • #6
Ibix said:
But that would need at least 2×13.9bn years
Quite a bit more due to expansion.
 
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  • #7
We take our universe now to be dominated by the dark energy followed by matter and radiation ,and our universe is now in an accelerating phase (since present value of q <0(-1.52)) and it has to be since dark energy provides exponential growth.
It is therefore after the time of dark energy matter equality ,inflationary (accelerated) phase starts which is ε(t)m=ε(t)d
ε0m/a30d
,a30m0dm0d0=0.04/0.23
a(t)=.057
z=1/a-1=16.54
Can we say that at this redshift inflationary (accelerated phase/dark energy) phase starts??
Since for the matter and radiation dominated phase d2a(t)/dt2<0.
 
  • #8
Apashanka said:
We take our universe now to be dominated by the dark energy followed by matter and radiation ,and our universe is now in an accelerating phase (since present value of q <0(-1.52)) and it has to be since dark energy provides exponential growth.
It is therefore after the time of dark energy matter equality ,inflationary (accelerated) phase starts which is ε(t)m=ε(t)d
ε0m/a30d
,a30m0dm0d0=0.04/0.23
a(t)=.057
z=1/a-1=16.54
Can we say that at this redshift inflationary (accelerated phase/dark energy) phase starts??
Since for the matter and radiation dominated phase d2a(t)/dt2<0.
Why did you take ##\Omega_m=0.04## and ##\Omega_{\Lambda}=0.23## ? Thats wrong. You should also take the dark matter account hence ##\Omega_m=0.31## and ##\Omega_{\Lambda}=0.68##
 

1. What is the horizon problem?

The horizon problem is a cosmological puzzle that arises from the observation that the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) is nearly uniform across the entire observable universe, despite the fact that different regions of the universe have not had enough time to come into thermal equilibrium with each other.

2. How does inflation resolve the horizon problem?

Inflation is a theory that proposes the universe underwent a rapid period of expansion in the very early stages of its existence. This rapid expansion would have stretched out any initial temperature fluctuations, making the universe appear more uniform on a large scale and thus resolving the horizon problem.

3. What evidence supports the theory of inflation?

One major piece of evidence for inflation is the observed uniformity of the CMB. Additionally, the theory of inflation has been able to accurately predict the distribution of matter in the universe and the overall geometry of the universe, as confirmed by observations from the cosmic microwave background and other sources.

4. Are there any alternative explanations for the horizon problem?

Some alternative explanations for the horizon problem include the idea that the universe is infinite and has always been in a state of thermal equilibrium, or that there are unknown physical processes that could have caused the universe to become more uniform over time. However, these alternative explanations do not have as much supporting evidence as the theory of inflation.

5. Are there any other problems that inflation helps to resolve?

Yes, in addition to the horizon problem, inflation also helps to resolve the flatness problem and the monopole problem. The flatness problem refers to the observation that the universe appears to have a very flat geometry, which is difficult to explain without the rapid expansion proposed by inflation. The monopole problem refers to the lack of observed magnetic monopoles in the universe, which would be expected to exist if the universe had gone through a hot and dense phase without inflation.

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