Friedmann Equation - Positive Curvature

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Friedmann Equation in the context of a universe with positive curvature, specifically examining the implications of the equation without the cosmological constant. Participants explore the behavior of the scale factor \(a(t)\) and its relationship to the expansion and collapse of the universe, including conditions under which the universe can expand or recollapse.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants present the Friedmann Equation and its implications for a matter-dominant universe, noting that for \(a(t) > 1\), the equation can yield negative values.
  • Others argue that the matter term should not be neglected even when discussing a collapsing universe, emphasizing that it remains significant in determining the universe's dynamics.
  • There is a question about how the universe can expand when \(a(t)\) is less than 1, with some participants suggesting that expansion can still occur despite a decreasing scale factor.
  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the general solution for \(k=1\) and whether the equations provided are sufficient to find a solution.
  • Several participants discuss the conditions under which the universe's expansion rate \(H\) becomes zero and the implications of this for the scale factor \(a(t)\).
  • There is a debate about the initial conditions affecting the universe's evolution, with some suggesting that these conditions may have arbitrary aspects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of the Friedmann Equation, particularly regarding the role of the matter term and the conditions for expansion and collapse. There is no consensus on the interpretation of \(a(t)\) being less than 1 and its effects on the universe's behavior.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of initial conditions and their potential arbitrariness, as well as the need to consider the mathematical behavior of the Friedmann Equation under various scenarios. Some assumptions about the scale factor and its implications for the universe's dynamics remain unresolved.

Arman777
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Friedmann Equation without the cosmological constant can be written as;
$$H^2=\frac {8πρG} {3}-\frac {1} {a^2(t)}$$
for ##Ω>1## (which in this case we get a positive curvature universe), and for a matter dominant universe;
$$ρ=\frac {1} {a^3(t)}$$
so in the simplest form the Friedmann equation becomes;
$$H^2=\frac {1} {a^3(t)}-\frac {1} {a^2(t)}$$

For a(t) larger than 1. The equations becomes negative but I remember that

Proper distance is proportional to a(t), ##D=a(t)Δx## so when ##a(t)## is smaller then ##1## it means universe collapses. In this case how it expends in the first place ?

##a(t)## is a function of ##t## so in this sense even its get smaller its possible that to get expand and then collapse I think but how can I find it ?
 
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Why did you skip the matter term for the collapsing universe? It is still there, and larger than the other term.

a(t) is always smaller than 1. You used this already to determine that the matter term is larger in the expansion phase.
 
mfb said:
Why did you skip the matter term for the collapsing universe? It is still there, and larger than the other term.

a(t) is always smaller than 1. You used this already to determine that the matter term is larger in the expansion phase.
I understabd that my condition happenz for a(t) is larger than 1. But in early times universe was expanding so hows that possible that a(t) is smaller than 1 and universe still expands ?
 
I didnt quite understand the general solution for ##k=1##.

We have;

$$H^2=\frac {8πGρ} {3}-\frac {1} {a^2(t)}$$
And
$$\frac {dρ} {dt}+3Hρ=0$$

Is it enough to find a solution ?
 
See here, Matter Only (k = 1).
 
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timmdeeg said:
See here, Matter Only (k = 1).
##a(θ)## comes from the FLRW metric ?
 
Arman777 said:
Proper distance is proportional to a(t), ##D=a(t)Δx## so when ##a(t)## is smaller then ##1## it means universe collapses. In this case how it expends in the first place ?

What does "expand" mean?
 
George Jones said:
What does "expand" mean?
It can still expand but the speed of expansion can slow down or derivative of it
 
Arman777 said:
Friedmann Equation without the cosmological constant can be written as;
$$H^2=\frac {8πρG} {3}-\frac {1} {a^2(t)}$$
for ##Ω>1## (which in this case we get a positive curvature universe), and for a matter dominant universe;
$$ρ=\frac {1} {a^3(t)}$$
so in the simplest form the Friedmann equation becomes;
$$H^2=\frac {1} {a^3(t)}-\frac {1} {a^2(t)}$$

For a(t) larger than 1. The equations becomes negative but I remember that

Proper distance is proportional to a(t), ##D=a(t)Δx## so when ##a(t)## is smaller then ##1## it means universe collapses. In this case how it expends in the first place ?

##a(t)## is a function of ##t## so in this sense even its get smaller its possible that to get expand and then collapse I think but how can I find it ?
Your statement that when ##a(t)## is smaller than ##1## the universe collapses is incorrect. In this model, ##a(t) \le 1## always. As long as ##a(t) < 1##, then ##1/a^3 > 1/a^2##, so that the right hand side is positive. Early on, ##H > 0##. As the universe expands, it reaches a point where the matter term and the curvature term are equal, so that ##H=0##. Then the universe recollapses after that point. ##H^2 \ge 0## always. It has to: otherwise the rate of expansion would be an imaginary number. You can verify this behavior by looking at the second Friedmann equation and considering appropriate initial conditions.
 
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  • #10
kimbyd said:
Your statement that when ##a(t)## is smaller than ##1## the universe collapses is incorrect. In this model, ##a(t) \le 1## always. As long as ##a(t) < 1##, then ##1/a^3 > 1/a^2##, so that the right hand side is positive. Early on, ##H > 0##. As the universe expands, it reaches a point where the matter term and the curvature term are equal, so that ##H=0##. Then the universe recollapses after that point. ##H^2 \ge 0## always. It has to: otherwise the rate of expansion would be an imaginary number. You can verify this behavior by looking at the second Friedmann equation and considering appropriate initial conditions.

So the inital conditions are

##\ddot a(t)<0## and ##\dot a(t)>0## and ##H=\frac {\dot a(t)} {a(t)}>0##

at some point it will be,

##\ddot a(t)<0## and ##\dot a(t)=0##. So does ##H=\frac {\dot a(t)} {a(t)}=0##

Then since ##\ddot a(t)<0##;

##\dot a(t)<0##, So does ##H=\frac {\dot a(t)} {a(t)}<0##

But in all of these cases ##H^2≥0##

Is this true ?

If its true then what will be the value of ##a(t)## when ##\dot a(t)=0## ?

And Inital conditons are like this casue of the acceleration equation ?
 
  • #11
Arman777 said:
Is this true ?
Sure.
Arman777 said:
If its true then what will be the value of ##a(t)## when ##\dot a(t)=0## ?
Some maximum value that you can calculate from the condition of H=0. But keep in mind that this scale is arbitrary. Multiplying the scale factor by 2 everywhere doesn't change the universe.
Arman777 said:
And Inital conditons are like this casue of the acceleration equation ?
We don't know if the initial conditions have some deeper reason, but using them we can calculate the evolution of the universe.
 
  • #12
mfb said:
Sure.Some maximum value that you can calculate from the condition of H=0. But keep in mind that this scale is arbitrary. Multiplying the scale factor by 2 everywhere doesn't change the universe.We don't know if the initial conditions have some deeper reason, but using them we can calculate the evolution of the universe.
You are right yes, scale factor itself don't mean anything..
 
  • #13
Thats nice then.

So I want to ask just in case.

For ##k=0##

##\ddot a(t)=0## and ##\dot a(t)>0##

For ##k=-1##

##\ddot a(t)>0## and ##\dot a(t)>0##.
 

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