Finding a constant in an expanding universe

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of finding a constant proportional to the total matter density in an expanding universe. Participants explore the implications of density changes over time, the role of radiation, and the conservation of energy in cosmological contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that in an expanding universe, the product of volume and total density must be constant, questioning the validity of this claim.
  • Another participant suggests that the total matter density decreases over time unless more matter is introduced, indicating a dependency on the universe's geometry.
  • A different viewpoint introduces the idea that total energy may be zero, considering the negative energy of gravitational fields and its implications for radiation energy.
  • Some participants discuss the non-conservation of energy in an expanding universe, particularly regarding radiation energy, which decays with the scale factor.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of including pressure effects in the analysis of matter density on cosmological scales.
  • Another participant points out the need to consider the first law of thermodynamics in cosmology, specifically mentioning the relationship between energy density and pressure.
  • There is a reference to the photon gas equation of state, suggesting a mathematical approach to derive the dependence of radiation density on the scale factor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the constancy of density in an expanding universe, with some agreeing that it depends on the universe's characteristics while others challenge the initial assumptions. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on energy conservation and density relationships.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the initial assumptions, including the neglect of pressure effects and the need for a more comprehensive understanding of energy transformations in cosmological contexts.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying cosmology, particularly in understanding the dynamics of matter and energy in an expanding universe.

utku
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Finding a constant in an axpanding univarse

Hi,
I want to obtain a constant that proportional to total matter density of universe.

Let ρ be matter densitiy and ρr be radiation desity.

In an expanding universe volume times total density must be constant. It is wrong?

let me show it is not correct because,

a^3(ρ + ρr) = ρ0 + ρr0/a

where ρ0 is matter density at present and similarly ρr0 is radiation density at present.And "a" is scale factor that function of time coordinate.
As you can see volume times total matter density not constant.

And energy of radiation decays like 1/a due to the expansion, total energy is conserved but energy of radition is not conserved. How this energy transform?

thanks.
 
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In an expanding universe volume times total density must be constant. It is wrong?
Probably - depends on the Universe.

In a closed universe that is expanding so that total volume increases with time, then the total matter density is M/V(t) ... this decreases with time unless more matter comes from someplace.

Your calculation was for energy density ... including only matter and light.
Did you miss out some forms of energy?
You also failed to justify the equality.

If you assume that the matter density must be a constant, and you want to find a constant proportional to the matter density, then why not just use the matter density?
 
Total energy may be zero - for matter the negative energy of each local G field summed over the Hubble sphere must be considered - radiation and other forms of energy also correspond to an mc^2 energy, and consequently may be canceled by an associated negative potential.
 
... and so on: i.e. it depends on the Universe.
@utku: any of this of any use?
 
utku said:
In an expanding universe volume times total density must be constant. It is wrong?
Only for matter that has no pressure on cosmological scales, i.e. normal matter and dark matter (normal matter experiences pressure in compact objects, but not at very large scales, as galaxies don't apply pressure to one another, except when they are actively colliding).

utku said:
And energy of radiation decays like 1/a due to the expansion, total energy is conserved but energy of radition is not conserved. How this energy transform?
Total energy is not conserved in all situations in General Relativity. In particular, it isn't conserved in an expanding universe. For a more in-depth analysis, see here:
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html
 
Thanks for your reply Simon Bridge and Yogi,Chalnoth.

I will look the article that Chaltoth send.
Some Energy of the radiation loses due to the expansion. What is this energy transform to?
 
utku said:
Some Energy of the radiation loses due to the expansion. What is this energy transform to?
It doesn't transform into anything. Energy simply isn't conserved in an expanding universe.
 
utku said:
Hi,
I want to obtain a constant that proportional to total matter density of universe.

Let ρ be matter densitiy and ρr be radiation desity.

In an expanding universe volume times total density must be constant. It is wrong?

let me show it is not correct because,

a^3(ρ + ρr) = ρ0 + ρr0/a

You forgot the ##pdV## term in the first law of thermodynamics as applied to cosmology.

$$\begin{align}
0 &= dE + pdV\\
&= \mathrm{d}\left(a^3 \rho \right) + p \mathrm{d}\left(a^3 \right)
\end{align}$$

If what you wrote above were true, then the first term in my last equation would be zero; this isn't correct, it is the sum of the two terms that is zero.

Try to use the photon gas equation of state

$$p = \frac{1}{3} \rho_r$$

and what I wrote above to derive the dependence of ##\rho_r## on ##a##.
 
Last edited:
Thanks to all.
I search the forum and find very usefull answers to many questions about cosmology. I think before make new reply ı must search the forum:)

2-
yes, i calculate George Jones, and it must depend a^(-4).
 

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