How Can We Interact with Dark Matter for Sci-Fi Novel?

[nettleton]

I understand complex molecules occur in dust clouds in deep space via collisions between atoms and the dust, What is anticipated of a collision of an atom with dark matter?

 

[kimbyd]

I understand complex molecules occur in dust clouds in deep space via collisions between atoms and the dust, What is anticipated of a collision of an atom with dark matter?

Basically no effect. There have been a number of experiments attempting to measure collisions between dark matter particles and atomic nuclei, but they so far haven't found anything. This indicates that dark matter generally passes right through normal matter (similar to neutrinos).

 

[David Fosco]

I'm still learning but have a big problem with this Dark Matter.
1. Solar Systems and Globular Clusters apparently do not need them but the Galaxy does
2. To my understanding, the amount and strength are different for what is needed for a Galaxy vs A cluster of Galaxies.
3. I get the feeling that someone couldn't explain something about gravity so they made up this mysterious variable that somehow ties everything together.
Like I said I'm still learning about this stuff and surely not at the level of most on this Forum but is so interested in learning about how it all works.
I sure have a lot of respect and envy of the ones that have a great understanding of it all. If I had to give a theory about the missing Gravity that holds the large units together it would be the nothing of space has physical properties that shed when near matter. The further away the stronger it is. Thanks for letting me be a part of this.
David.

 

[kimbyd]

I'm still learning but have a big problem with this Dark Matter.
1. Solar Systems and Globular Clusters apparently do not need them but the Galaxy does
2. To my understanding, the amount and strength are different for what is needed for a Galaxy vs A cluster of Galaxies.
3. I get the feeling that someone couldn't explain something about gravity so they made up this mysterious variable that somehow ties everything together.
Like I said I'm still learning about this stuff and surely not at the level of most on this Forum but is so interested in learning about how it all works.
I sure have a lot of respect and envy of the ones that have a great understanding of it all. If I had to give a theory about the missing Gravity that holds the large units together it would be the nothing of space has physical properties that shed when near matter. The further away the stronger it is. Thanks for letting me be a part of this.
David.

These criticisms are honestly easy to answer, and are easily answered if you just do some internet searches about the evidence for dark matter.

The cosmic microwave background observations are particularly difficult to fit with anything but dark matter. The basic picture is that before the CMB was emitted, the universe was a plasma. Within a plasma, normal matter interacts strongly and experiences pressure. Dark matter does not. This leads to very different behavior, with normal matter bouncing out of gravitational potential wells while dark matter just collects in them. That kind of physical system can't really be explained by gravity modifications easily because modifications to gravity should just impact how deep the gravitational potential wells are. It shouldn't cause some of the mass to collect in wells while other mass bounces out.

The CMB observations allow us to measure the average density of both normal matter and dark matter to within about 1%.

 

[PeterDonis]

If I had to give a theory about the missing Gravity that holds the large units together it would be the nothing of space has physical properties that shed when near matter. The further away the stronger it is.

You don't have to give a theory. In fact, PF rules do not allow personal speculations. Asking questions is fine, but the fact that you have questions that you don't yet know the answers to does not mean you should try to guess answers.

 

[David Fosco]

Got it.. Sorry

 

[Zguy1217]

I struggle to find a plausible scenario for dark matter use in a sci-fi.

Hi Nikkkom,

I appreciate the worry, but it's mostly a way to power some fictional tech that I want to work into the book. Using another example in Scifi - the "Element Zero" from Mass Effect that allowed the creation and manipulation of mass effect fields. Obviously I'm not stealing that idea, but it's a close example that a not known substance that leads to the tech used in that fictional universe.

I don't want to go into too many specifics because I'm still not sure to what degree I'm going to try to publish. Right now this is just a fun side hobby for my own enjoyment.

 

[Zguy1217]

Not to be too brutal, BUT - JUST to make sure you know, nobody reads novels anymore.

Hi Anon5000,

I appreciate the worry. At this stage, I'm not even sure if I'll try and publish my idea. I just want to write it for my own fun. That said, there's a lot of scenes in my head that play out much like a movie. So, maybe I'll end up writing a screenplay as well, or a pitch for a TV show. It's not too likely, but hey it could happen!

 

[MikeeMiracle]

If you want to use somethng exotic as a power source how about using "Zero Point Energy" instead? At least that is better understood so you could form a story around it, even if some theories allow it and other do not.

There are just too many unknowns about Dark Matter's true nature to try and use it as a power source in a Sci-Fi story with our current level of understanding.