If energy is created with expansion and it has no limit....?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the concept of potential energy in relation to the universe's expansion and the creation of dark energy. Participants debate whether potential energy can be considered infinite if the universe is infinite, with one user asserting that the term "potential energy" is misapplied in this context. The discussion highlights the complexities of defining energy in an infinite universe and emphasizes that the total energy of the universe is less relevant than the energy density in the observable universe. Ultimately, the conversation concludes with a call for clarity in terminology and an acknowledgment of the limitations of current understanding.

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Noduagga
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Then is potential energy infinite (potential energy=energy that can be created)
 
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Think about how much this cost in terms of work! Absurd! It is as the perpetual motion ... :biggrin:
 
Noduagga said:
Then is potential energy infinite (potential energy=energy that can be created)
There is no potential energy creation in the creation of "dark energy" so I don't see that your "potential energy=energy that can be created" is a true definition at least certainly not in this case.
 
phinds said:
There is no potential energy creation in the creation of "dark energy" so I don't see that your "potential energy=energy that can be created" is a true definition at least certainly not in this case.
So how would you call the energy that could be created? Would it be infinite?
 
Noduagga said:
So how would you call the energy that could be created? Would it be infinite?
Only if the universe is infinite. What are you really trying to get at?
 
phinds said:
Only if the universe is infinite. What are you really trying to get at?
Ok I think we aren't understanding each other. Correct me if I'm wrong. As universe expands and more space time appears more dark,vacuum and gravitational energy appear too right? So, if expansion has no limit (universe can expand forever) then these energies could be created with no limit right? Infinite energy could appear right? That infinite energy that can appear with expansion is what i called potential energy...so...?
 
Noduagga said:
Ok I think we aren't understanding each other. Correct me if I'm wrong. As universe expands and more space time appears more dark,vacuum and gravitational energy appear too right? So, if expansion has no limit (universe can expand forever) then these energies could be created with no limit right? Infinite energy could appear right? That infinite energy that can appear with expansion is what i called potential energy...so...?
If the universe is infinite they you don't need to wait ... the DE is ALREADY infinite. I still have no idea why you call it potential energy. Do you mean that there is the potential for infinite energy? If so, you are using a completely non-standard definition of the phrase "potential energy".
 
phinds said:
If the universe is infinite they you don't need to wait ... the DE is ALREADY infinite. I still have no idea why you call it potential energy. Do you mean that there is the potential for infinite energy? If so, you are using a completely non-standard definition of the phrase "potential energy".
Well supposing that universe is finite and expanding.
And yes that was the thing i meant to say. If calling it potential energy is incorrect what term should i use?
 
Noduagga said:
Well supposing that universe is finite and expanding.
And yes that was the thing i meant to say. If calling it potential energy is incorrect what term should i use?
If the universe is finite then an infinite amount of DE would take an infinite time to create.

Do you understand the normal meaning of "potential energy"? If not, you should get clear on it.
 
  • #10
phinds said:
If the universe is finite then an infinite amount of DE would take an infinite time to create.

Do you understand the normal meaning of "potential energy"? If not, you should get clear on it.
I called it potential energy because i didn't find another way to name it but i knew it was somehow incorrect that's why i asked the question..so how could we name it?
 
  • #11
Noduagga said:
I called it potential energy because i didn't find another way to name it but i knew it was somehow incorrect that's why i asked the question..so how could we name it?
Just describe it, exactly as you would do for any phenomenon or complex set of events for which there is no single name.
 
  • #12
phinds said:
Just describe it, exactly as you would do for any phenomenon or complex set of events for which there is no single name.
ok, you're right but just one last thing. if infinite energy can be created, could we say that there's (potentially) infinite energy ?
 
  • #13
Noduagga said:
ok, you're right but just one last thing. if infinite energy can be created, could we say that there's (potentially) infinite energy ?
In an infinite universe or in an infinite amount of time, there can be infinite most anything. What IS this fascination you have with infinite energy? What's the point? Do you have some personal theory that you are trying to find support for?
 
  • #14
Note that the total energy for the universe (including potential energy) is difficult to define for a number of complicated reasons. The following article goes into detail about energy conservation in GR, which is essentially what you're talking about here. Here's the link: http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html
 
  • #15
The total energy of the universe is irrelevant, only the energy density in the observable universe matters.
 
  • #16
phinds said:
In an infinite universe or in an infinite amount of time, there can be infinite most anything. What IS this fascination you have with infinite energy? What's the point? Do you have some personal theory that you are trying to find support for?
So, would we be correct if we say that energy is (potentially) infinite?
 
  • #17
Noduagga said:
So, would we be correct if we say that energy is (potentially) infinite?
WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THIS ? What IS it that makes you keep trying to get people to tell you that there is infinite energy. What does it matter? Did you not believe Chronos' telling you that it it irrelevant and only the energy density matters?

I have asked you a couple of times now why you keep asking this. Why do you refuse to answer?
 
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  • #18
Thread closed on this pointless discussion.
 
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