Can Dark Energy Influence the Minimum Unit of Space in the Universe?

In summary, the conversation explores the concept of the smallest unit of space in the universe, with a focus on the idea that it may be 10^-35 metres. The role of dark energy in expanding the universe and its potential impact on gravitons is also discussed. The conversation also touches on the possibility of a minimum length limit and the implications for string theory.
  • #1
kurious
641
0
If dark energy increases its total energy in the universe by taking energy from gravitons, then the loss in energy of a graviton can be linked to the increase in size of the universe.If the smallest unit of space is 10^ -35 metres, this is the minimum that the universe expands in anyone dimension and this size of expansion is caused by the weakest energy gravitons losing energy to dark energy.But the expansion locally here on Earth would be only 10 ^ -35 / 10 ^ 26 metres =
10 ^ -61 metres.So surely the smallest unit of space in the universe can't be 10 ^ -35 metres?
 
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  • #2
smallest length

I actually believe the smallest theorized length would be a one dim string which is on the order of 10^-34 cm you see it is nearing Plancks constant I believe and therefore can't get any smaller.
 
  • #3
i believe the Planck limit is more on the order of 10-43

oops, talking about length, not time. :redface:
 
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  • #4
There is no current reason to suppose the Planck length is a sharp lower bound on length. What happens there is that the Compton wave length of a Planck mass particle equals its Schwartzschild radius, so gravity an quantum are forced to acknowledge each other. Note that the LQG program succeeded in quantizing areas and volumes, but not length. "There are more things, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
 
  • #5
KURIOUS:
If dark energy increases its total energy in the universe by taking energy from gravitons, then the loss in energy of a graviton can be linked to the increase in size of the universe.If the smallest unit of space is 10^ -35 metres, this is the minimum that the universe expands in anyone dimension and this size of expansion is caused by the weakest energy gravitons losing energy to dark energy.But the expansion locally here on Earth would be only 10 ^ -35 / 10 ^ 26 metres =
10 ^ -61 metres.So surely the smallest unit of space in the universe can't be 10 ^ -35 metres?

KURIOUS:

String theory would be out of the picture if the minimum length isn't 10^-35 metres -
unless it could be transformed to match the change in minimum length.
 

FAQ: Can Dark Energy Influence the Minimum Unit of Space in the Universe?

What is the minimum length in the universe?

The minimum length in the universe is currently unknown and is a topic of ongoing scientific research. The concept of a minimum length is based on the theory of quantum mechanics, which suggests that there may be a smallest possible length scale that exists in the universe.

How is the minimum length determined?

The determination of the minimum length in the universe is still a subject of debate among scientists. Some theories suggest that it may be related to the Planck length, which is approximately 1.6 x 10^-35 meters. Other theories propose that it may be related to the size of the strings in string theory, which are thought to make up the fundamental particles of the universe.

Why is the minimum length important in physics?

The concept of a minimum length is important in physics because it could have significant implications for our understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe. It could also help to reconcile the theories of quantum mechanics and general relativity, which currently have some fundamental differences.

Can the minimum length be measured?

Currently, there is no way to directly measure the minimum length in the universe due to its extremely small scale. However, scientists are exploring different methods, such as high-energy particle collisions, to indirectly test the concept of a minimum length.

Does the concept of a minimum length apply to all objects in the universe?

The concept of a minimum length is thought to apply to all objects in the universe, including particles, atoms, and even space-time itself. However, it is still a topic of ongoing research and further studies are needed to fully understand the implications of a minimum length in the universe.

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