High School Examples of theoretical proofs overturned by evidence?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the implications of the Hawking-Penrose singularity theorems in cosmology and astrophysics. Participants explore how certain conditions, such as dark energy and inflation, violate the energy conditions stipulated by Hawking and Penrose, thereby challenging the validity of their singularity predictions. The conversation highlights the distinction between mathematical theorems and physical reality, emphasizing that the singularity theorems do not necessarily describe our universe. Key references include the original paper by Hawking and Penrose and discussions on energy conditions relevant to general relativity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Hawking-Penrose singularity theorems
  • Familiarity with energy conditions in general relativity
  • Knowledge of dark energy and inflation concepts
  • Basic grasp of mathematical proofs in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of dark energy on cosmological models
  • Research the role of inflation in the early universe
  • Examine the energy conditions outlined in Hawking & Ellis
  • Explore recent advancements in general relativity and their impact on singularity theorems
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, cosmologists, and students of general relativity seeking to understand the relationship between theoretical models and empirical evidence in cosmology.

  • #31
pinball1970 said:
I assumed he published his papers then put out a pop Science book to make some of the ideas accessable to the general reader as Hawking did.

And if your assumption is correct, then there will be published peer-reviewed papers by him that can be used as references. That doesn't change the fact that his pop science book is not a valid PF reference.

pinball1970 said:
It was more of an invite for someone to explain what the papers were outlining and what the current experimental data has done to support or refute them.

And if you can reference particular papers, then that is a valid subject for discussion. But his pop science book is still not.
 
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  • #32
PeterDonis said:
And if your assumption is correct, then there will be published peer-reviewed papers by him that can be used as references. That doesn't change the fact that his pop science book is not a valid PF reference.
And if you can reference particular papers, then that is a valid subject for discussion. But his pop science book is still not.
Ok trying to find them. I'll feedback
 
  • #33
Cerenkov said:
My reason for starting this thread is exactly this - a burning desire to know just how the H - P theorems work. What they are saying and what they aren't saying. What they can do and what they can't. Where they apply and where they don't. That is why.

Then that's what you should have asked in the OP of this thread. And the thread title should have been something like "How do the H-P theorems work" or "What do the H-P theorems say and when do they apply". Basically we've wasted more than 30 posts finding out that what you're actually interested in has nothing to do with the title or OP question of the thread.

Cerenkov said:
Dogged persistence in the face of difficulty is simply a hallmark of my character.

Dogged persistence is fine, but it's not the only skill you need. You also need to be able to ask what you actually want to ask.

Since the title and OP question of this thread are not what you actually wanted to ask, I am closing this thread. If you want to know about the H-P singularity theorems, then you can ask a specific question about those theorems in a new thread. I would strongly recommend thinking carefully about framing a specific question rather than just something like "How do the H-P theorems work?"
 

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