Curious inquiry about exotic matter

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Exotic matter's potential existence is supported by several arguments, including its proximity to ordinary electromagnetic fields and the effects of quantum mechanics creating negative-energy densities. Cosmologists speculate that cosmic exotic matter, referred to as "phantom energy," may be responsible for the universe's accelerating expansion. The discussion clarifies the distinction between exotic matter, dark matter, and dark energy, emphasizing that dark energy, not dark matter, drives the acceleration of expansion through negative pressure. Misunderstandings about these concepts are common, highlighting the complexity of modern physics. Understanding these differences is crucial for grasping the underlying mechanisms of the universe's behavior.
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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?
 

Thread 'Need help understanding particle physics and quantum physics'

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
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