What Was the Initial Energy of the Universe: Planck Energy or Singularity?

[liometopum]

I am wondering what people here think the initial energy of the universe was.

The Planck energy? Implies a finite amount of energy
A Singularity? This implies an infinite amount of energy.

 

[Bandersnatch]

Zero? Implies that Lawrence Krauss is right.(:P)

 

[liometopum]

Thanks Bandersnatch. I'd thought of listing that too, but it was my impression that at the moment the expansion started that at least a little something was there. My post was purposely vague though and left that idea fully available.
The initial singularity is often described as being of infinite energy and matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_singularity
Infinite is infinite... it would not be a universe from nothing, if there was a singularity of infinite energy at the moment expansion started; all the energy is already there. I have heard lecturers state the universe started with a small amount of energy, quite contrary to an infinite amount. With two extremes, I wanted to hear input from forum members.
I guess I should define the starting condition I am thinking of, and that is the start of expansion.

 

[Chalnoth]

I am wondering what people here think the initial energy of the universe was.

Actually, there isn't an unambiguous answer to this question: global energy is not a well-defined quantity in General Relativity. Either way, the answer is probably somewhere between small and zero, depending upon how you define the global energy.

 

[sardar]

I cannot definitively say what the initial energy of the universe was, as it is still a topic of ongoing research and debate. However, there are various theories and hypotheses that attempt to explain it.

The Planck energy, which is the maximum energy that can be reached in the universe, is often considered as a possible initial energy state. This implies a finite amount of energy, but it does not necessarily rule out the possibility of other forms of energy or matter being present at the beginning of the universe.

On the other hand, the concept of a singularity, which is a point of infinite density and energy, is also a potential explanation for the initial energy of the universe. However, this theory is still highly debated and has not been conclusively proven.

Ultimately, the true nature of the initial energy of the universe may never be fully understood, but it is through ongoing research and exploration that we continue to gain a deeper understanding of the universe and its origins.