answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The universe is expanding faster than it would be, if the only source of energy for that expansion derived from the big bang. In face, recent astronomical observations have shown that the rate of expansion of the universe is increasing, which indicates that there is some force still at work, pushing on galaxies and making them move faster. We have very little idea what that source of expansion is, but we have called it "dark energy" to reflect the fact that we cannot see it (or haven't seen it so far; maybe we aren't looking in the right place).

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the role of the dark energy in the expansion of the universe?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is gravity's role in the expansion of the Universe?

It was believed for quite a while that gravity would slow the expansion of the Universe down. But it is now known that the Universe is expanding faster and faster (apparently it tends towards an exponential growth), so there must be something else, that is pushing the Universe apart, more strongly than gravity can it together. This "something" is called "dark energy".


Will the universe remain the same forever?

There exists abundant evidence that the universe is currently dynamic, constantly changing on scales from the microscopic to the cosmological. For example, the universe it not only expanding in all directions but the rate of that expansion appears to be accelerating, attributed to a phenomenon given the name 'dark energy'. Whether there can be a time in the distanct future when the universe will no longer undergo change is not fully known. A universe with no change might be consistent with the concept of the heat death of the universe in which all stars burn out and the universe becomes cold and dark. The second law of thermodynamics might indicate the universe will reach a state of maximum entropy (thermodynamic equilibrium) but even how this law applies on cosmological scales is not yet known. The shape of the universe plays a role in understanding whether it could eventually attain an unchanging state; whether it is open, closed, or flat; recent evidence tends to point to this last option, in which the universe expands forever but at an ever decreasing rate; but the role that dark energy would play in an aging universe would still need to be determined.


What are the big-banged big-crunched and big-ripped configurations of the universe?

The big bang theory describes the universe as originating from a single point in a large explosion which would have occurred roughly 14 billion years ago, and is a widely accepted theory because it seems to fit observations, particularly a measurable outward expansion of matter in the universe. The big crunch is somewhat the opposite, it describes a theory for the fate of the universe where gravitational force eventually overcomes the outward expansion and all matter collapses back together. The big rip theory reflects another possible fate of the universe in which forces that cause expansion become so dominant that it eventually rips apart not only galaxies and stars, but atoms and particles themselves. This last theory hinges on properties of dark energy which appears to play a significant role in the expansion of the universe.


Why is dark matter important to study?

Dark matter is a different type of matter not like we have on Earth; we can prove matter is here on Earth it's called baryonic matter. Dark matter is different it does not emit or reflect electromagnetic radiation which makes it harder for astronomers to find it. Dark matter is observed by the gravitational effect that it has on radiation and the visible universe. The gravitational force it has from dark matter plays a critical role in the shape of the galaxies orbit and the because of the hot gases in the groups of galaxies. Dark matter also has an effect on visible light caused by the groups of galaxies that is more known as gravitational lensing. This unknown matter is called dark matter, because we do not know what these undiscovered matter particles are. In time we will know and discover these particles and will soon be properly understood. Dark matter and dark energy are different but do have some of the same features. Dark energy is different from dark matter because dark energy is making more room in the galaxies which is making more room; so now since there is so much more room because of the dark energy it is moving all the galaxies around us drift away from us. Astronomers thought that the rate of the universe expanding would soon be slowing to a stop; more recent measurements showed that the rate of the universe expanding is actually going at a faster rate of speed. The relationship between dark matter and dark energy is that both make up about 96% of the matter in the known universe. They are not the same dark energy is what is creating the expansion of the universe, and dark matter is what holds the universe's galaxies and other objects in place. Although they do share some features, dark matter or dark energy cannot be observed or measured by any of the tools or techniques that we have currently today. They both serve as place holders for basic principles of the universe. Answer2: Dark Energy an Dark Matter are the result of defining enerrgy as a scalar quantity. Dark Energy is a vector quantity. This is explained with Newton's Gravity Energy. Newton's Energy is W = -mGM/r the is a scalar energy, a potential energy. Newton's Law is as if the mass m is not moving. The mass m is moving and tthus creates momentum, a vector. it als creates cmV=cP vector energy, the so-called Dark Energy. This the total Energy is W = -mGm/r + cP = -vp + cP This is a Quaternion Energy consisting of a scalat part and a vector part, cP. This Dark Enegy cP is larger than the -vP by the ratio of c, the speed of light and v the velocity. This Dark Energy is also the source of the Dark Matter, cP. The universe consists of Quaternion quantites, at the scale of the univers and the atom. The Gravitational and Quantum Energy is W = -vh/2pi r + cP = -vp + cP = [-vp,cP] The Energy is Conserved at 0 =XW= [d/dr,Del][=vh/2pi r,cP] when v=c. indicating that the Univers is stationary due to Dark Energy. 0 = [vp/r -cp/r, -1R cp/r + 1R vp/r].


What played a significant role in economic expansion?

What played a significant role in economic expansion?


Does the discovery of dark energy and dark matter weaken the general theory of relativity?

Einsteins relativity just as Newtons laws will have to be reviewed and redifined as some aspects of the theory are now in question. A professor named Maguiejo has proposed a theory that the speed of light is different or varies in different parts of the universe and is not constant as Einstein proposed. We will see in time if dark energy and matter play a role if any!!!!! He seems to think so........... This is why I love science, because no one man can claim and hold any glory but only contribute to the discovery of this awsome universe we live in............


What role did Jefferson play in western expansion?

How did president jefferson play a role in the westward expansion


When did Universe - role-playing game - happen?

Universe - role-playing game - happened in 1981.


What is the role of energy in photosynthesis?

The energy formed in the light reactions of photosynthesis is used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose during the Calvin cycle (dark reactions).


What has the hubble telescope discoverd?

The Hubble telescope has expanded man's understanding of the universe in many ways. Here are a few: * helped astronomers determine the age of the universe much more accurately, * played a key role in discovering that a mysterious form of energy called dark energy is making the universe expand at a faster and faster rate, * detected the elements sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in the atmosphere of a a large planet outside our solar system, * confirmed most galaxies have a black hole at their center, * proved that quasars, tremendous generators of light and other radiation which lie at the outer reaches of the universe, are located at the center of galaxies,


What is the role of an astronemer?

Basically, to study the Universe.


If the universe is expanding and a blackhole is gaining mass so therefore its gravity is stronger will the blackholes gravity eventually catch up with the end of the universe and suck up Earth n more?

A scenario in which a black hole gains sufficient mass to increase in size such that its gravity reaches the limits of the observable universe would have to be rejected for the reason that there exists insufficient mass in the universe. The Schwarzschild radius of the entire universe has been calculated by some sources to be less than five billion light years - and the observable universe is something like ninety gigalight years in diameter. However it does raise some intriguing possibilities - if such a proposition was executed on the universe as it now is, could the rule of mass-energy equivalence cause that the energy expended in reversing the expansion of matter in order to decelerate its outward motion and relocate it all back to the same point be so great that it would itself create a much larger black hole? Would the energy required to pull off such an astronomical feat exceed the energy reserves of the entire universe, such that no matter would be left over, or would the act of depleting the universe's energy reserves balance out and leave behind only a fraction of the current matter such that the resulting black hole would be almost insignificant? If not, would tidal force be so nominal with such a supermassive black hole that we would be completely unharmed by it - experiencing no spaghettification as our solar system was sucked into it? And what role would dark energy play - could its effect possibly be amplified by concentrating the space in which it is contained such that the attraction of such a black hole would be canceled out, or even reversed? And if not, would the net result be a new singularity preceding another big bang?