What is the relationship between inflation and dark energy?

In summary: But maybe, who knows.In summary, the universe is expanding due to the Big Bang. While the gravitational attraction of matter causes the expansion to decelerate, the presence of dark energy, a special type of matter or radiation with negative pressure, causes a net acceleration. The universe as a whole is thought to have no boundary, but there is a boundary to the observable universe. It's possible that dark energy is related to the scalar field that caused inflation, but it's difficult to find a field that can serve as both inflaton and dark energy. The current rate of expansion is powered by this dark energy, and according to Einstein's theory of general relativity, the universe will only collapse if E=1.17XT.
  • #1
alchemist
50
0
the universe is expanding, ok. but what is causing this? the big bang? in that case, what causes the expansion to accelerate or decelerate? and what is beyond the boundaries of the universe?
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by alchemist
the universe is expanding, ok. but what is causing this? the big bang? in that case, what causes the expansion to accelerate or decelerate?

Yes, the Big Bang is responsible for the expansion. The gravitational attraction of all the matter in the universe causes the expansion to decelerate. However, it is now believed that there is some special kind of matter or radiation, called "dark energy", which has negative pressure and causes a gravitational repulsion. Right now, that repulsion appears to be winning out over the gravitational attraction of the normal matter, so there is a net acceleration.


and what is beyond the boundaries of the universe?

There is a boundary to the observable universe; beyond it is just more universe that we can't see, because light from it hasn't reached us. But the entire universe as a whole is not thought to have a boundary.
 
  • #3
It's possible that this dark energy can be related with the scalar field that caused inflation?
 
  • #4
What is powering the exspansion? the fact that E=1.17XT (according to GR, if E is more than "1" the cosmos will collapse. My class calculated the age of the cosmos, based on this eq. at 13.989 BY. Not bad for college kids in a sophmore astrophysics class!

Just be glad it does not collapse. Then..who knows? Effect preceeds cause? what a mess.

Bill

www.wsdavis.org
 
  • #5
Originally posted by meteor
It's possible that this dark energy can be related with the scalar field that caused inflation?

It's been proposed before, for instance in

http://arXiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9810509

but in general it's hard to come up with a field that correctly does double-duty as both inflaton and dark energy.
 

1. What is the expanding of the universe?

The expanding of the universe is the theory that the space between galaxies is constantly increasing, causing them to move further apart. This was first proposed by Edwin Hubble in the 1920s and has been supported by numerous observations and experiments since then.

2. How is the expanding of the universe measured?

The expanding of the universe is measured using a variety of techniques, such as observing the redshift of light from distant galaxies or studying the cosmic microwave background radiation. These methods provide evidence of the expansion rate, known as the Hubble constant, and the rate at which the expansion is accelerating.

3. What is causing the expanding of the universe?

The cause of the expanding of the universe is still a topic of debate among scientists. One theory is that it is driven by dark energy, a mysterious force that is thought to make up about 68% of the total energy in the universe. Another theory is that it is a result of the Big Bang, the initial explosion that created the universe and is still pushing galaxies further apart.

4. Will the expanding of the universe continue forever?

Based on current observations and theories, it is believed that the expanding of the universe will continue indefinitely. However, the rate of expansion may change over time due to various factors such as the amount of dark energy and the distribution of matter in the universe.

5. How does the expanding of the universe affect our understanding of the universe?

The expanding of the universe has greatly influenced our understanding of the universe and its history. It provides evidence for the Big Bang theory and has led to the development of the concept of dark energy. It also has implications for the fate of the universe, as well as our place in it as humans living in an expanding universe.

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