Does Space-Time Exist Without Energy?

In summary, the conversation discussed the possibility of a spacetime without mass or energy, as described by special relativity. It was noted that the existence of such a spacetime is unverifiable and outside the realm of science. The conversation also touched on the idea that the field equations need to be supplemented with reasonable and consistent boundary conditions in order to fully determine the behavior of spacetime.
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If there was no mass/energy would space time still exist? In other words, does on space time only exist because of an interaction between two points of energy?
 
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A spacetime without mass or energy is the one described by special relativity.

Whether such a thing could exist or not (as a real thing rather than a useful approximation) is unverifiable, since we aren't in such a spacetime and have no access to any other, even if they exist. That means it's outside the realm of science, at least at our current level of understanding.
 
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I think a better question is "could there be spacetime w/o energy". The answer is yes according to the field equations. Now, the same is true for EM in that electromagnetic fields can exist without charges but it's less clear they would exist if there were no charges. I guess my point is that the field equations need to be supplemented with reasonable and consistent boundary conditions.
 
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1. Does space-time exist without energy?

This is a highly debated topic in the scientific community. Some scientists believe that space-time is a fundamental aspect of the universe and therefore exists regardless of the presence of energy. Others argue that energy is necessary for the existence of space-time. Ultimately, the answer to this question is still unknown and is an active area of research.

2. How does energy affect space-time?

According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, energy and mass are two aspects of the same thing - the famous equation E=mc². This means that energy can impact the curvature of space-time, which in turn affects the motion of objects. Additionally, the presence of energy can also cause space-time to expand or contract, as seen in the expansion of the universe due to dark energy.

3. Can space-time exist in a vacuum?

Yes, space-time can exist in a vacuum. In fact, the vacuum of space is not completely empty, as it contains various forms of energy and matter. However, even in a perfect vacuum where there is no matter, space-time still exists. This is because space-time is not made up of physical particles, but rather it is the fabric of the universe in which particles and energy exist.

4. Is energy the only factor that affects space-time?

While energy is a major factor that affects space-time, it is not the only one. Other factors such as mass, velocity, and gravitational forces also play a role in the curvature and expansion of space-time. Additionally, the presence of matter and the geometry of the universe also contribute to the behavior of space-time.

5. Can space-time exist without gravity?

This is a difficult question to answer definitively because the concept of space-time is closely tied to the theory of general relativity, which describes gravity as the curvature of space-time. However, some scientists propose alternative theories such as loop quantum gravity or string theory, which suggest that space-time could still exist without the presence of gravity as we currently understand it. Further research and experimentation is needed to fully understand the relationship between space-time and gravity.

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