Expansion of the Universe Violates Conservation of Energy?

[Islam Hassan]

If the acceleration of the expansion of the universe is driven by the vacuum energy 'created' by newly-formed space, what is the counterpart of this energy? Is it a net surplus energy injected into the universe and not converted from another pre-existing form of energy? In that case, is the conservation of energy actually violated at the cosmological level?

IH

 

[cueball B]

I don't believe there really is a solid solution for this problem yet... Or is there?

 

[Cosmo Novice]

If the acceleration of the expansion of the universe is driven by the vacuum energy 'created' by newly-formed space, what is the counterpart of this energy? Is it a net surplus energy injected into the universe and not converted from another pre-existing form of energy? In that case, is the conservation of energy actually violated at the cosmological level?

IH

The conservation of energy as a law is not applicable in a cosmological sense. There are a number of very good FAQs on this site so I will not elaborate too much.

 

[yenchin]

See also http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2010/02/22/energy-is-not-conserved/

 

[Chronos]

Our inability to define 'energy' or 'conservation of energy' on cosmological scales remains an issue. See http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html for discussion.

 

[Peter Watkins]

The vacuum in space is in equilibrium. The "power" of a vacuum can only be found within an atmosphere, where it simply replaces that which was used to create it.

 

[keepit]

where is this newly formed space coming from, the extra dimensions?