Do wormholes really exist in spacetime?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Aftermarth
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Spacetime Wormholes
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the theoretical existence of wormholes in spacetime and the necessity for exotic matter to stabilize them. Participants highlight that while quantum theory suggests the possibility of exotic matter with negative density, there is no consensus in the physics community regarding its feasibility or the amount required to maintain a wormhole. The conversation also touches on the concept of quantum foam, which is described as a fluctuating substance that may influence the fabric of space. Overall, the topic remains an area of active research with many unanswered questions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of general relativity and its implications for spacetime.
  • Familiarity with quantum theory and concepts such as quantum foam.
  • Knowledge of exotic matter and its theoretical properties, including negative density.
  • Basic grasp of the scientific method and the nature of theoretical physics research.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and implications of exotic matter in theoretical physics.
  • Study the concept of quantum foam and its role in modern physics.
  • Explore the current theories surrounding wormholes and their potential existence.
  • Investigate the scientific community's perspectives on negative density and its implications.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, cosmologists, and anyone interested in theoretical physics, particularly those exploring advanced concepts related to spacetime and the universe's structure.

Aftermarth
Messages
74
Reaction score
0
Do wormholes really exist in spacetime?
I mean, as a race we need to colonize the rest of the galaxy before too long otherwise the sun will extinguish our aspirations to survive, and we really can't just travel in a spaceship so we need to look at other ideas.

could "star-trek" or whatever the show is be real and wormholes or rips in the fabric of space appear so that we could go through them and end up in another part of the galaxy in minutes rather than thousands and thousands of years?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Aftermarth said:
Do wormholes really exist in spacetime?
I mean, as a race we need to colonize the rest of the galaxy before too long otherwise the sun will extinguish our aspirations to survive, and we really can't just travel in a spaceship so we need to look at other ideas.

could "star-trek" or whatever the show is be real and wormholes or rips in the fabric of space appear so that we could go through them and end up in another part of the galaxy in minutes rather than thousands and thousands of years?

Unfortunately, there are no clear-cut answers (even in theory) upon which the whole physics community agrees.

A stable wormhole requires "exotic" matter to hold it open, and exotic matter is such that some observers measure its density to be negative.

There are some hints from quantum theory that exotic matter is theoretically possible, but not everyone agrees on how much is needed to hold a wormhole open, how much is possible, etc.

Your questions lie in an area of active research.
 
can u help me understand something i read involving "quantum foam"
it said that it was a miniscule substance which covered everything and was a foam-like thing that shifted and flowed around itself, occasionally opening up breaks in the "fabric of space"
 
Uh how can you have negative density? Isnt that just as rediculous as negative mass?
 
Uh how can you have negative density? Isnt that just as rediculous as negative mass?
It's quite the same, it's ridiculous and it obviously exists. But AFAIK it exists only on small scales and has to be countered by positive energy density in the vicinity. But as George Jones said, we don't know yet what restrictions might apply.
 
slow down guys... where did denisty come into this at all?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K