Could dark matter be negative pressure

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of dark energy and its relationship to the expansion of the universe, specifically whether dark energy could be conceptualized as negative pressure. Participants explore the implications of this idea and clarify distinctions between dark matter and dark energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that dark matter could be negative pressure resulting from the stretching of space due to the expanding universe.
  • Another participant questions whether the original inquiry pertains to dark matter or dark energy, leading to clarification that the discussion is about dark energy.
  • A participant asserts that dark energy is an unknown factor that causes the acceleration of the universe's expansion, indicating a potential misunderstanding of cause and effect in the original proposition.
  • Concerns are raised about theorizing based on figurative language, emphasizing the importance of grounding discussions in established physics rather than analogies.
  • One participant states that dark energy can indeed be characterized as negative pressure and relates this to the Lambda-CDM cosmological model, while noting the challenges in validating cosmological equations compared to chemical equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conceptualization of dark energy and its properties, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus on the nature of dark energy as negative pressure.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for clarity in definitions and the potential pitfalls of relying on figurative language, suggesting that assumptions about the properties of space and energy may not be universally accepted.

DannyOberthier
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could dark matter be negative pressure caused by the stretching of the fabric of space by an expanding universe?
 
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Are you talking about dark matter, or about dark energy?
 
sorry, energy
 
Dark energy is an unknown thing that CAUSES the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. I think you have cause and effect backwards.

EDIT: it would appear, by the way, that you are attempting to "think outside the box" on this which is a good thing in general, but surely you understand that it is foolish to try to think outside the box when you don't yet understand what is IN the box?
 
Another thing to be careful about is theorizing just based on wordplay. Sometimes people use the term "the fabric of space" figuratively, but if you take that literally and say, "well space is a 'fabric' and fabrics have elasticity therefore space must have elasticity", then all you've really done is manipulate words in order to support an assertion that is unfounded. In reality, modern physics does have things to say about the properties of empty space, and those theories about empty space are pertinent to dark energy and how it behaves. But it is important to use those theories as a starting point, without resorting to analogy.
 
If we'll reify the equations, yes dark energy is negative pressure that is causing the expansion of the universe.

Dark energy is the Lambda in the Lambda-CDM cosmological model. Dark energy as well as dark matter balance the equations in similar way that coefficients and delta balance the chemical reaction equation satisfying the conservation of matter and energy. But unlike the chemical equations that is relatively easy to validate in the lab, cosmological equations is difficult.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda-CDM_model
 

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