- #1
Question69
- 43
- 7
- TL;DR
- Is energy conserved in GR?
Is energy really not conserved in a constantly expanding universe?
Is energy really not conserved in a constantly expanding Universe?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter Question69
- Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the conservation of energy in a constantly expanding universe, emphasizing that the interpretation of "energy" and "conserved" is crucial. Sean Carroll's blog post, "Energy is Not Conserved," serves as a foundational resource for understanding this complex topic. Additionally, a Usenet Physics FAQ article provides further insights into the nuances of energy conservation in the context of General Relativity. The consensus among participants is that the concept of energy conservation is not straightforward in an expanding universe.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of General Relativity concepts
- Familiarity with the principles of energy conservation
- Knowledge of cosmological expansion
- Ability to interpret scientific literature and blog posts
- Read Sean Carroll's blog post "Energy is Not Conserved"
- Explore the Usenet Physics FAQ article on energy in General Relativity
- Investigate the implications of energy conservation in cosmology
- Study the relationship between energy and spacetime in expanding universes
Physicists, cosmologists, and students of theoretical physics seeking to deepen their understanding of energy conservation in the context of an expanding universe.
- #2
PeterDonis
Mentor
- 49,455
- 25,507
The short answer is, it depends on what you mean by "energy" and what you mean by "conserved". 
Sean Carroll's blog post on the topic is a good place to start:
https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/blog/2010/02/22/energy-is-not-conserved/
Sean Carroll's blog post on the topic is a good place to start:https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/blog/2010/02/22/energy-is-not-conserved/
- #3
PeterDonis
Mentor
- 49,455
- 25,507
Credit where credit is due, this bon mot is not original with me, it comes from this Usenet Physics FAQ article, also worth reading:PeterDonis said:it depends on what you mean by "energy" and what you mean by "conserved".
https://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html
- #4
Question69
- 43
- 7
Oh I've read that already, it was when I first found about it really, I just thought I'd ask you guys because maybe Sean is wrong :)PeterDonis said:The short answer is, it depends on what you mean by "energy" and what you mean by "conserved".
https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/blog/2010/02/22/energy-is-not-conserved/
- #5
PeterDonis
Mentor
- 49,455
- 25,507
Um, no.Question69 said:
- #6
PeterDonis
Mentor
- 49,455
- 25,507
That would have been a good thing to mention in the OP of this thread.Question69 said:
Do you have any further questions on the topic?
- #7
Question69
- 43
- 7
I should have, yes, and no.PeterDonis said:
- #8
PeterDonis
Mentor
- 49,455
- 25,507
I'll take that as "no further questions". Thread closed.Question69 said:
Similar threads
- · Replies 12 ·
High School
Expanding Universe: How Does It Conserve Energy?
- · Replies 21 ·
- · Replies 7 ·
- · Replies 25 ·
- · Replies 17 ·
Undergrad
Dark energy and conservation of energy
- · Replies 4 ·
- · Replies 36 ·
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 17 ·
- · Replies 35 ·