Curious inquiry about exotic matter

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of exotic matter, particularly its potential existence and implications in the context of cosmology, including dark matter and dark energy. Participants explore theoretical arguments for exotic matter and its relationship to the acceleration of the universe's expansion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the existence of exotic matter is plausible based on several arguments, including its relation to electromagnetic fields and quantum effects that create negative-energy densities.
  • The same participant raises a question about the nature of dark matter and whether it can be considered exotic matter, particularly in relation to the acceleration of the universe's expansion.
  • Another participant points out a potential confusion between exotic matter, dark matter, and dark energy, asserting that they are distinct concepts.
  • A subsequent reply clarifies that dark energy, not dark matter, is responsible for the acceleration of the universe's expansion, challenging the initial assumption made by the first participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the definitions and roles of exotic matter, dark matter, and dark energy, with no consensus reached on these distinctions or their implications for cosmic acceleration.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential confusion surrounding the terminology and concepts related to exotic matter, dark matter, and dark energy, indicating a need for clarity in definitions and their respective roles in cosmological theories.

sozme
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Forgive me for being a lay person, I am a medical student and the only physics I've ever had was non-calculus based 200-level. Anyway, I was reading the "wormhole" faqs page from Dr. Rodrigo's webpage via UCal-Irvine: http://www.webfilesuci.org/WormholeFAQ.html

How realistic is it to suppose that exotic matter exists?

Its existence isn’t as far fetched as you might at first think. Four arguments for its likely existence are: 1) The ordinary electromagnetic field is infinitesimally close to being exotic. 2) Quantum effects are known to create negative-energy densities. 3) Something is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate. Cosmologists have recently speculated that it might be cosmic exotic matter (which they call “phantom energy” or “superquintessence”). 4) Formerly sacrosanct energy conditions have been dying off for the last few decades. Why not a couple more?

I was wondering what your comments might be, in particular about #3. For one, is the theorized dark matter really "exotic" and why must this be so?
 
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sozme said:
I was wondering what your comments might be, in particular about #3. For one, is the theorized dark matter really "exotic" and why must this be so?
Sounds to me like you're confusing exotic matter, dark matter and dark energy, which are all three different.
 
Bill_K said:
Sounds to me like you're confusing exotic matter, dark matter and dark energy, which are all three different.

Is dark matter not responsible for the acceleration of expansion via strong negative pressure?
 
sozme said:
Is dark matter not responsible for the acceleration of expansion via strong negative pressure?
Nope, that's dark energy. Did you read the Wikipedia articles I pointed to?
 

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