Expanding Space-time and the active vaccuum.

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    Expanding Space-time
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential connection between the expansion of space-time and the creation of matter/energy in a quantum vacuum. Participants explore theoretical implications and relationships between these phenomena, touching on concepts from cosmology and quantum physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests a connection between the expansion of space-time and the continuous creation of matter/energy in a quantum vacuum, questioning if the expansion leaves "empty space" that is filled by quantum events.
  • Another participant agrees that there is a connection, attributing the acceleration of space-time expansion to "dark energy," which they relate to virtual particle creation, while noting the tentative nature of these theories.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that the calculation of vacuum energy might be incorrect and suggests that a suppression of higher frequency electromagnetic modes could reconcile vacuum energy with dark energy.
  • One participant raises the possibility that the expansion of space-time could be the source of energy in the vacuum, questioning if this distinction is meaningful.
  • Another participant comments on the significant discrepancy in theoretical predictions regarding vacuum energy and dark energy, referencing a factor of ~10^120.
  • A later reply downplays the significance of the discrepancy, stating that 10^120 is less than infinity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between space-time expansion and vacuum energy, with some suggesting a connection and others proposing alternative explanations. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus reached on the nature of these phenomena.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the tentative nature of the theories discussed and the significant discrepancies in theoretical predictions, which may affect the validity of their claims.

geordief
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There are 2 phenomena which I understand are more or less received wisdom (when seen from my pop science standpoint anyway).

Firstly :space-time is ever expanding.
Secondly:in a quantum "vacuum" matter/energy is continuously being created ( and disappearing) out of "nothing".

Could there be any connection between these 2 phenomena?

I mean ,as the Space-Time expands could it be leaving "empty space"in the wake of its expansion which was filled by these "popping into existence" quantum events?

I am not really peddling this argument but my whole understanding of the subject would be limited to the extent that I would be happy just for someone with a better handle of what I am talking about to say words to the effect of "don't be ridiculous" ,"you have got completely the wrong end of the stick" or words to that effect (or even "by jimbo ,lad I believe you're onto something there!").

(In my own defence I really don't have the time or the ability to study to be able to judge for myself whether my explanation has any merit or not -which is why I am hoping someone else might!)
 
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There is a connection. The acceleration of the expansion is believed to be caused by "dark energy". This is related to the virtual particle creation that you described. The theories involved are quite tentative. I presume that physicist will eventually clarify this problem. The major problem in trying to connect these two things is that there a disagreement by a factor of ~ 10120.
 
It's possible that the calculation of vacuum energy is wrong, and there is something suppressing the higher frequency electromagnetic modes, which could bring down the vacuum energy to equal the dark energy. Really, they should be the same thing: just the energy of empty space.
 
Is it at all possible (aside from anything being "possible") that is is the other way round and it is the expansion of Space-Time that is creating energy in the " vacuum" ?

Would that be a meaningless distinction? (or just meaningless...?)

ps @mathman 10^120 is really quite a discrepancy! I understand it has been described as "the worst theoretical prediction in the history of physics"!
 
10^120 is a lot less than infinity, so it can't really be that bad.
 

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