Is the Accelerating Expansion of the Universe Wasting Energy?

In summary, the article explores the phenomenon of the universe's accelerating expansion, questioning whether this process could be considered a form of energy wastage. It discusses the implications of dark energy, which drives this acceleration, and its relationship with the overall energy dynamics of the universe. The piece highlights the complexities of cosmic energy conservation and encourages further examination of how these cosmic processes affect our understanding of energy in the universe.
  • #1
mister i
18
7
This is my first (non-professional) post: It seems accepted that space is "created" (otherwise the expansion of the universe would exceed the speed of light). We are talking about "creation" (!!). The question would be: does current physics tell us if this represents a waste of energy for the universe? (which would be different from the energy of the vacuum, which is the energy that exists within space, but not its creation, for me they are different things)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
mister i said:
It seems accepted that space is "created"
I don't think that's accurate.
mister i said:
otherwise the expansion of the universe would exceed the speed of light
The expansion of space, to the extent that's really a thing, does not have a single speed. It is quantified by the Hubble constant, and comparing this to the speed of light is like asking if a kilogram is more than a meter. It doesn't make sense.
mister i said:
does current physics tell us if this represents a waste of energy for the universe?
I don't think there's a meaningful question to answer here - you can't define the total energy of the universe in a way anyone can agree on, so whether or not it is changing isn't answerable.
 
  • Like
Likes vanhees71
  • #3
mister i said:
We are talking about "creation" (!!).
No, we're not.

mister i said:
The question would be: does current physics tell us if this represents a waste of energy for the universe?
No energy is expended for the universe to expand. The matter in the expanding universe is in free fall.
 
  • Like
Likes vanhees71
  • #4
Ibix said:
The expansion of space, to the extent that's really a thing, does not have a single speed. It is quantified by the Hubble constant, and comparing this to the speed of light is like asking if a kilogram is more than a meter. It doesn't make sense.
here talks about acceleration and velocity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerating_expansion_of_the_universe
 
  • #5
mister i said:
here talks about acceleration and velocity: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerating_expansion_of_the_universe
And, as it says, the key quantities are the scale parameter ##a## and its derivatives and the Hubble constant. Individual galaxies have a velocity (although there are caveats), but this is not limited to be below ##c## and does not characterise the expansion.
 
  • Like
Likes PeroK

FAQ: Is the Accelerating Expansion of the Universe Wasting Energy?

What is the accelerating expansion of the universe?

The accelerating expansion of the universe refers to the observation that the universe is not just expanding, but that the rate at which it is expanding is increasing over time. This discovery was made in the late 1990s through observations of distant supernovae and has been supported by various other lines of evidence, including the cosmic microwave background radiation and large-scale structure of the universe.

What causes the accelerating expansion of the universe?

The primary cause of the accelerating expansion is believed to be dark energy, a mysterious form of energy that permeates all of space and tends to increase the rate of expansion. The nature of dark energy is still not well understood, but it is thought to make up about 68% of the total energy content of the universe.

Is energy being wasted due to the accelerating expansion of the universe?

In the context of general relativity and cosmology, energy conservation works differently than in classical mechanics. The concept of "wasting energy" doesn't directly apply to the universe's expansion. Instead, the energy density of dark energy remains constant as space expands, which means more dark energy appears as the universe grows. This doesn't imply waste but rather a different way of understanding energy in an expanding universe.

How does the accelerating expansion affect the future of the universe?

If the current rate of acceleration continues, the universe will keep expanding faster and faster. This could lead to a scenario known as the "Big Freeze" or "Heat Death," where galaxies move so far apart that stars eventually burn out, and the universe becomes a cold, dark, and dilute place. Another theoretical possibility is the "Big Rip," where the expansion becomes so extreme that it eventually tears apart galaxies, stars, planets, and even atomic particles.

Can we harness energy from the accelerating expansion of the universe?

Currently, there is no known way to harness energy from the accelerating expansion of the universe. The concept of dark energy is still a theoretical construct, and its properties are not well understood. Even if it were possible to tap into dark energy, the vast scales involved make it impractical with our current technology and understanding of physics.

Similar threads

B The expansion of the Universe and time travel (By a non-scientist)
Replies
2
Views
2K
B Where does the light energy lost due to expansion go?
Replies
13
Views
1K
B Energy loss of a photon
Replies
1
Views
641
I Energy of Light in Accelerating Universe: Comparing Cases
Replies
24
Views
2K
B Research Paper: Exploring Decay in c Due to Universe Expansion
Replies
22
Views
2K
B How does hawking radiation escape a black hole?
Replies
11
Views
1K
B Experience Travel on a Photon: Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Universe
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Gravitational Waves vs Universe Expansion Rate
Replies
4
Views
2K
B Expanding Universe: How Does It Conserve Energy?
Replies
21
Views
2K
I Has anyone measured the speed of light in one direction?
2
Replies
45
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top