Is dark energy pushing or is it a mirror concept of gravity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of dark energy, specifically whether it acts as a repulsive force pushing against matter or if it is a conceptual counterpart to gravity. Participants explore the implications of dark energy's role in the universe's expansion, the evidence supporting its existence, and its relationship with dark matter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that dark energy has a constant energy density, which becomes more significant as the universe expands, while the density of matter decreases.
  • Others argue that dark energy cannot be a "pulling" force, as that would contradict the observed accelerated expansion of the universe, which requires an additional factor beyond matter.
  • There is a suggestion that dark energy may be related to the vacuum of space itself, contributing to the universe's accelerated expansion.
  • Some participants express confusion about the distinction between dark energy and dark matter, noting that they are separate concepts with different implications for cosmology.
  • Questions arise regarding the evidence for dark energy's existence and its effects, with references to external sources provided for further information.
  • The discussion touches on the early universe's expansion, with some participants questioning what caused this expansion before dark energy became significant.
  • There is mention of the Big Bang theory and alternative models of the universe, with participants discussing the prevailing views among astrophysicists and cosmologists.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of dark energy, with multiple competing views regarding its role and relationship to gravity and dark matter. The discussion remains unresolved on several key points, including the mechanisms behind the universe's expansion and the implications of different cosmological models.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions and relationships between dark energy and dark matter, as well as the evidence supporting various claims. The discussion reflects a range of hypotheses and interpretations without definitive conclusions.

  • #31
@PeterDonis Ok so you say scalar fields can do this, IIRC examples of known scalar fields would be also the B field (static), E field(static) , EM field , gravity , others?
Can the E, B, EM or gravity fields do anything similar to what is happening to the dark/vacuum energy ?
Let me ask one more thing with regards to the topic at hand, normally we associate a field with a source, like the E field and it's source charge or gravity and mass , so the way I imagine in ordinary conditions if I have a object that has charge and mass it is a source for both E field and gravity
What is the source for dark/vacuum energy?
Is the source known or hypothetical as of now?

It seems that unlike matter and the fields associated with matter the source for dark energy seems to be everywhere at once and fundamentally linked to space time.
 
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  • #32
artis said:
IIRC examples of known scalar fields would be also the B field (static), E field(static) , EM field , gravity , others?
None of these are scalar fields. They are vector fields or tensor fields, they "have directions".
artis said:
What is the source for dark/vacuum energy?
It doesn't need one. That's why it is called vacuum energy or cosmological constant or similar. It's there even in vacuum.
 

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