After a brief interlude, we return to our usual programming. Two weeks ago we talked about the nexus of time and energy and a very particular concept related to this: dark energy, which makes up close to 70% of the total energy of the observable universe.
Dark energy or vacuum energy is underlying background energy that exists in space and expands throughout the entire universe. Said in another way, it is the name that physicists use to define any substance, force or property of space and that have an effect on the universe, causing its expansion to accelerate and, despite everything, we know almost nothing about it.
From the observations of supernovas, it has been hypothesized that the pressure of dark energy is negative, which implies that gravity, instead of a force of attraction as we know it, becomes a force of repulsion.
How to explain dark energy
There are at least three models that seek to explain dark energy. The first explanation is that dark energy is a cosmological constant, a constant that is consistent with Einstein’s equations.
Another current holds that dark energy is not constant but dynamic. This explanation suggests that the density of energy is not constant either in space or in time, in such a way that parameters are established based on the ratios of pressure and density of energy.
A third explanation is derived from the current of quintessence. This current takes the inflationary theories of the universe of scalar fields to solve the initial problems posed by the Big Bang and they were adapted in models to explain observations of the late universe.
In addition to these three currents is that which proposes, as we already indicated, that gravity simply works differently in the universe on large scales. Therefore, as we anticipated, on a large scale gravity would push objects instead of attracting them.
An interesting aspect that has allowed analyzing the dark energy of the universe is the cosmic microwave background radiation that has been theorized, since 1965, is a form of electromagnetic radiation that completely fills the universe. They are considered residual protons that appeared when the universe cooled enough to be neutral.
Undoubtedly, the universe is much more complex than we understand, our understanding of energy is restricted by our scientific progress from the earth. Revealing the secrets of the universe is fundamental for the understanding of energy seen from different perspectives and theories. The approach from quantum science could shed new light regarding energy, space and time; which would allow us, as a society, to advance a little more in the development of new applications that allow us to enter the future in a more audacious way.
This article was originally published by Business Insider México.
Date: February 9, 2021
Original Link: https://businessinsider.mx/energia-oscura-espacio-opinion-paul-alejandro-sanchez-energia-circular/ [offline]
Archived Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20221207124529/https://businessinsider.mx/energia-oscura-espacio-opinion-paul-alejandro-sanchez-energia-circular/ [Archived]