Exploring Negative Energy at the Big Bang: A Non-Mathematical Explanation

In summary, the book "Brief Answers to Big Questions" by Hawking discusses the concept of energy in relation to the Big Bang. According to Hawking, at the time of the Big Bang, there was an equal amount of positive and negative energy. He also suggests that negative energy is stored in space-time, which is difficult to understand without mathematics. However, popularizations like this book may not provide a thorough understanding of the subject and it is recommended to refer to textbooks for a more comprehensive understanding. It is also worth noting that the idea of energy conservation in this context is not entirely reliable.
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I was reading "Brief answers to big questions" By Hawking, the above pic is from a page of the book, it says that at the time of the big bang there was an equal amount of positive and negative energy, and that the negative energy never went anywhere, the space-time itself is a store of negative energy! I don't really understand what he means by this. In all fairness he does go on to admit that without mathematics this idea is hard to grasp.
can someone try to explain the above in the best way they can (with or without math) or lead me to resources to further dwell into.

Thanks
 
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Hawking did here the best that he could to express without mathematics something that cannot be properly expressed without mathematics. What you are looking at, even though it was written by a respected scientist is a popularization. It is an attempt to give you a taste. Popularizations, generally, are not usable as a basis upon which to reason one's way to a proper understanding of the subject matter. Better to work from a textbook.

The idea of energy conservation that is being relied upon here is on shaky ground to begin with.

https://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html
 
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1. What is negative energy and how is it related to the Big Bang?

Negative energy is a theoretical concept in physics that refers to a type of energy that has a negative value. In the context of the Big Bang, negative energy is thought to have played a crucial role in the expansion of the universe. According to the theory, negative energy counteracts the positive energy of matter, causing the universe to expand at an accelerating rate.

2. How does negative energy affect the formation of the universe?

Negative energy is believed to have been present at the very beginning of the universe, during the Big Bang. It is thought to have caused the initial expansion of the universe, and then later counteracted the attractive force of gravity, allowing the universe to continue expanding at an accelerated rate. This expansion eventually led to the formation of galaxies and other structures in the universe.

3. Is there any evidence for the existence of negative energy?

Currently, there is no direct evidence for the existence of negative energy. However, the concept is supported by various theories and mathematical models, such as quantum field theory and inflationary cosmology. Additionally, observations of the accelerating expansion of the universe provide indirect evidence for the role of negative energy in the formation of the universe.

4. Can negative energy be harnessed or used in any practical way?

At this time, there is no known way to harness or use negative energy in a practical way. The concept is still purely theoretical and requires further research and understanding before it can potentially be applied in any practical applications.

5. Are there any potential implications of negative energy for our understanding of the universe?

The existence and role of negative energy in the Big Bang have significant implications for our understanding of the universe and its evolution. It helps explain the observed accelerating expansion of the universe and may also provide insights into the nature of dark energy, a mysterious force believed to be responsible for this expansion. Further research on negative energy could lead to a better understanding of the fundamental laws of physics and the origins of the universe.

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