Can Dark Energy be a Fifth Force?

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SUMMARY

Dark energy cannot be classified as a fifth fundamental force. The four known forces are electromagnetism, gravity, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. Dark energy is characterized by its gravitationally repulsive properties, which lead to the accelerated expansion of the universe. It operates on cosmological scales, distinct from the other forces that dominate at smaller scales, and is represented on the right-hand side of Einstein's Equations as a form of energy that influences the universe's expansion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's Equations
  • Knowledge of fundamental forces: electromagnetism, gravity, strong and weak nuclear forces
  • Familiarity with cosmological concepts, particularly dark energy
  • Basic grasp of gravitational properties and their implications in astrophysics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of dark energy on cosmic expansion
  • Study Einstein's Equations and their application in modern physics
  • Explore the differences between gravitationally attractive and repulsive forces
  • Investigate current theories in cosmology regarding the nature of dark energy
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, physicists, and students of cosmology who are interested in the fundamental forces of nature and the role of dark energy in the universe's expansion.

IceMan815
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Can dark energy be the fifth force?
We know 4 fundamental forces (3 if you don't take gravity), electromagnetism, gravity, strong and weak nuclear force. So can Dark Energy be the fifth force. All we know about dark energy is that it accelerates the expanding universe and it works on larger scales. Not in solar systems, galaxies or galaxy clusters but further away.
I don't know the math in it but take the other forces for example:
-Strong Force dominates on small scales
-Electromagnetic force is stronger at a bit bigger range then the Strong Force
-Gravity is stronger then Electromagnetism on larger scales
-Dark Energy could be stronger on even larger scales then Gravity
Is this possible?
 
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No. Dark energy causes the universe to expand (at an accelerating rate) as a result of its odd gravitational properties. One way to think of it is that dark energy is gravitationally repulsive, in contrast to 'ordinary' matter/energy, which is gravitationally attractive.

So, dark energy is a form of matter/energy -- ie it belongs on the RHS of Einstein's Equations. It creates a gravitational force (LHS of Einstein's Equations) that causes the universe to accelerate.
 
How is dark energy distiquishable from time? If events from a billion years ago are a billion lightyears away, hasn't the passage of time expanded create space?
 

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