![]() What Is Dark Energy?ĭark energy is believed to make up the vast majority of the universe, with estimates that dark energy makes up almost 70 percent of the matter-energy density of the known universe.ĭark energy has been found to be closely related to the vacuum of space, and it is in fact a key property of the vacuum itself. These observations have led cosmologists to believe that they play a role in the function and resulting behavior of the universe. Observations in the effects of vacuum energy have been made in the Casimir effect, the Lamb shift, and spontaneous cosmic emissions. This field is consistent with the Planck constant and the principle of the Lorentz covariance. When referring to the upper limit of the cosmological constant, estimates show the vacuum energy of free space to be 10−9 joules per cubic meter.Īlternatively, the field of quantum electrodynamics estimates a more significant, 10113 joules per cubic meter. The conflict arises between the two methods of measurement. There is some disagreement as to the volume of space that this energy takes up, thus causing the cosmological constant problem. The term refers to a specific case of zero-point energy that is closely related to the quantum vacuum. Vacuum energy is theorized to be the underlying background energy that exists everywhere across the universe. This article will take a look at what each theory is and whether there are any differences between the two concepts of mysterious energy. There are of course critics of these ideas, as is the nature of the beast with theoretical sciences. Theories on dark energy and theories on vacuum energy may well offer different explanations and interpretations of some of the same phenomena.īoth are things that cosmologists, physicists, and astronomers are still trying to get to grips with. The word was first used in this context by the physicist Thomas Young in 1800, though it did not become widespread for some time. Once energy is transferred, then it is appropriately designated according to its updated nature. In physics, energy is defined as the capacity for doing work, and by “work”, we mean the working against a force.Įnergy can exist in numerous forms including thermal, potential, kinetic, electrical, chemical, and nuclear.
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