Redshift & Total Energy Density

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating redshift values where vacuum and matter contribute equally to the total energy density of the universe, as well as the conditions for dark matter and radiation. It highlights the need to understand the relationship between redshift (z) and the scale factor (a) in cosmology. Key equations and concepts such as Omega0 = p0/pc,0 are mentioned, but participants express confusion regarding the definitions and applications of these variables. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how different components of energy density scale with the scale factor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cosmological parameters, specifically Omega (Ω)
  • Familiarity with the concept of redshift (z) in cosmology
  • Knowledge of the scale factor (a) and its relation to energy density
  • Basic grasp of the components of the universe's energy density: vacuum, matter, and radiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between redshift and scale factor in cosmology
  • Study the equations governing energy density contributions from different components
  • Learn about the Hubble distance and its implications in cosmological calculations
  • Explore the implications of the flatness problem and its mathematical formulations
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, cosmologists, and physics students interested in understanding the dynamics of the universe's energy density and the implications of redshift in cosmological models.

Eulalie
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Homework Statement
Thank you for taking a look! I've been pouring over my textbook trying to figure out the right formulas for these problems, but have been unable to do so. My professor did not teach some of these problems and I basically need a point in the right direction. If I knew what formulas to use I could easily solve these myself. This was all for an Intro to Cosmology course. I was able to solve the rest of the problems apart from these four.
Relevant Equations
unknown
1. If today vacuum and matter contribute 71 % and 29 % to the total energy density of the universe, at what redshift z were they contributing equally?

2. If today vacuum, matter, and radiation contribute 71 %, 29 %, and 0.01% to the total energy density of the universe, at what redshift z were dark matter and radiation contributing equally?

3. (horizon problem) In a (hypothetical) matter-dominated universe, consider two galaxies that are exactly at the Hubble distance today: d = dH, where dH ≡ c/H. Calculate d dH |z – the ratio of the distance between the galaxies to the Hubble distance at redshift z.

4. (flatness problem) Assume that Ω = 1.01 today (see PV, I didn’t introduce Ω in the lectures). Assume that radiation contributes 0.01% to the total energy density of the universe. Calculate Ω at redshift z = 106 .

While searching for the solutions to #1 and #2, I came across the equation Omega0 = p0/pc,0. However, I can't find any equations involving redshift, which is basically where I'm stumped. I also could not figure out what the variable p represents as it unfortunately was not defined in my textbook.

Any help at all would be awesome!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You should be able to find a relation between the redshift z and the scale factor a. How do the different components of the energy density scale with a?
 

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