Open and Closed Models in Cosmology

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the mathematical formulation of closed cosmological models, specifically using the cosmological metric defined by equations (1) and (2). It emphasizes that in closed models, the curvature parameter k is positive, leading to a finite circumference in the horizontal grid-line at any instant, indicative of a closed universe. The discussion also touches on the behavior of light cones in such models, particularly in relation to the expansion rate of the universe being less than the speed of light (c). The relevance of the blue-cone diagram from Wikipedia is highlighted as a visual aid for understanding these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cosmological metrics and their equations
  • Familiarity with the concepts of curvature in cosmology
  • Knowledge of light cones in the context of Special Relativity
  • Basic grasp of the metric expansion of space
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of positive curvature in cosmological models
  • Examine the blue-cone diagram and its significance in cosmology
  • Explore the mathematical derivation of the cosmological metric
  • Learn about the implications of light cone behavior in expanding universes
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Astronomers, cosmologists, and physics students interested in advanced concepts of cosmological models and the mathematical frameworks that describe the universe's expansion.

Anamitra
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Let us consider the cosmological metric:
{ds}^{2}{=}{dt}^{2}{-}{[}{a}{(}{t}{)}{]}^{2}{[}\frac{{dr}^{2}}{{1}{-}{k}{r}^{2}}{+}{r}^{2}{(}{d}{\theta}^{2}{+}{sin}^{2}{(}{\theta}{)}{d}{\phi}^{2}{]} -------------- (1)
For closed models k is positive
We shall consider here a closed one:
We write:
{ds}^{2}{=}{dt}^{2}{-}{d}{{X}_1}^{2}{-}{d}{{X}_{2}}^{2}{-}{d}{{X}_{3}}^{2} --------------- (2)
Where:
{d}{X}_{1}{=}{\int}\frac{{a}{(}{t}{)}}{\sqrt{{1}{-}{k}{r}^{2}}}{dr}--(3)
{d}{X}_{2}{=}{\int}{a}{(}{t}{)}{r}{d}{\theta}
{d}{X}_{3}{=}{\int}{a}{(}{t}{)}{r}{sin}{\theta}{d}{\phi}

When viewed in terms of physical variables equation (2) is a flat space time metric in terms of physical variables[X1,X2 and X3 are simply lengths] . The Special Relativity features of the light cone should be satisfied.
In a closed model let us consider a light cone at a point infinitesimally close to the boundary which is not expanding at a superluminally wrt the point in consideration.[at the current stage]..Rather the rate of expansion of the boundary is assumed to be quite slow [much less than c]with respect to the point in consideration. What would the forward motion of the light ray be like?
Incidentally it is important to understand closed models in view of certain figures[ apart from other reasons] for example the blue-cone diagram in the wiki picture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_expansion_of_space#Understanding_the_expansion_of_Universe
The circumference of the horizontal grid-line is finite at any particular instant of time -this is indicative of a closed model.
 
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