Is Dark Energy a Continuous Creation Theory?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of dark energy, specifically whether it can be considered a continuous creation theory. Participants explore the implications of dark energy's behavior as the universe expands, particularly regarding its density and relationship to spacetime.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether dark energy can be viewed as a continuous creation theory.
  • There is a claim that dark energy does not dilute as the universe expands, maintaining a constant density.
  • One participant argues that the concept of density in relation to dark energy is misunderstood, emphasizing that density does not relate to distance.
  • Another participant asserts that constant density with increasing volume implies the addition of material, prompting further clarification about the nature of dark energy.
  • Some participants discuss the idea of vacuum energy and its role in maintaining constant density despite the expansion of the universe.
  • There is a question regarding the relationship between dark energy and the metric expansion of spacetime, with some asserting that spacetime itself does not expand or change.
  • A later reply raises a question about dark energy density in the context of the Block Universe, which is met with confusion and a retraction of the question.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of dark energy, particularly regarding its density and implications for the expansion of the universe. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect a misunderstanding of the relationship between density and distance, and there are unresolved questions about the implications of dark energy in various theoretical frameworks.

New Simplicio
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Moderator's note: Spun off from another thread due to topic change.

Isn't Dark Energy a continuous creation theory?
 
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New Simplicio said:
Isn't Dark Energy a continuous creation theory?

No.
 
As the universe expands, won't Dark Energy get diluted and grow weaker? Will it grow weaker at greater distance away?
 
New Simplicio said:
As the universe expands, won't Dark Energy get diluted ...
No, dark energy has a constant density under expansion.
 
New Simplicio said:
As the universe expands, won't Dark Energy get diluted and grow weaker?

No.

New Simplicio said:
Will it grow weaker at greater distance away?

This question doesn't make sense; a density has nothing to do with a distance. The density of dark energy is constant.
 
Constant density with increasing volume means adding material. What does density mean?
 
New Simplicio said:
Constant density with increasing volume means adding material. What does density mean?
There is NO material to "add", it's just everything (non-bound systems) moving apart from every thing else in space-time but with the amount of dark energy (whatever it IS) unchanged per unit volume.

This can be difficult to get your head around at first but nature doesn't care about our faulty "intuition / common sense".
 
New Simplicio said:
Constant density with increasing volume means adding material.

Dark energy is not "material" in the sense you are using the term here.
 
Is that like the metric expansion of spacetime? Is it true that one can't say that spacetime is expanding, being created, or stretching?
 
  • #10
New Simplicio said:
Constant density with increasing volume means adding material. What does density mean?
In a sense yes, but it isn't a material as already stated, it is vacuum energy. As John A. Peacock says in "Cosmological Physics" "the vacuum acts as a reservoir of unlimited energy". So increasing volume means an increasing amount of vacuum energy whereby its density (energy per unit volume) remains constant.
 
  • #11
New Simplicio said:
Is that like the metric expansion of spacetime?

Is what like the metric expansion of spacetime?

New Simplicio said:
Is it true that one can't say that spacetime is expanding, being created, or stretching?

Yes. Spacetime is a 4-dimensional geometry. It doesn't change. It just is.
 
  • #12
Is Dark Energy density constant in the Block Universe?
 
  • #13
New Simplicio said:
Is Dark Energy density constant in the Block Universe?

What do you mean by the Block Universe?
 
  • #14
The last question is retracted as unconventional. No, it's not worth repeating.
 
  • #15
New Simplicio said:
The last question is retracted as unconventional.

Fair enough. Thread closed.
 

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