What is inflation and why do we need it?

[swoarg]

hi John
i dont think a volume of space can exist without containing energy in some form as it wouldnt be space but what is space if it has no energy

thanks and hello Swoarg

[neutralino]

A simple question.

Can a volume of space exist without containing energy in some form?

Thanks, John

Good question, John.

I'd say no. There exists something called the vacuum energy density. In fact this has a lot to do with our current monthly theme: the vacuum energy density is often called "dark energy." This is the energy that is causing the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. See here for a nice discussion.

[force5]

Now I'm confused.

"space has no boundary"

...conservation of energy vs. no boundary, if you agree with me on the "space/energy" issue.


please solve this problem I have with "no boundary".

Thanks for your input.

John

[swoarg]

thanks neutralino that was very interesting to read pleased you posted it

[force5]

hi John
i dont think a volume of space can exist without containing energy in some form as it wouldnt be space but what is space if it has no energy

thanks and hello Swoarg

IMHO, in a word, "non-existent".

[PoPpAScience]

A simple question.

Can a volume of space exist without containing energy in some form?

Thanks, John

Now Force5, my opinion will be inappropriate and nontraditional, but I would like to respond. If say space/time had a start, and the formula was V=(4pi(-r)^3)/3 with -r starting at zero and growing into infinity. This leaving the space/time self contained at this point in a "unwavedlength" form. Thus no energy.

Now say -r stops at a certain number, say 14 billion just for fun, creating a 'hypothetical singularity'. From this 'hypothetical singularity', a wave is added to the "unwavedlength" to become a 'wavelength' of what ever frequency fits the science of the early big bang theory. Thus energy.

So I would personally say that all space/time has energy since the BB but when the volume ("unwavedlength") of the Universe was being created, it had no energy.

I posted this for something to do, and I am OK with it being deleted by the moderator.

[force5]

Now Force5, my opinion will be inappropriate and nontraditional, but I would like to respond. If say space/time had a start, and the formula was V=(4pi(-r)^3)/3 with -r starting at zero and growing into infinity. This leaving the space/time self contained at this point in a "unwavedlength" form. Thus no energy.

Now say -r stops at a certain number, say 14 billion just for fun, creating a 'hypothetical singularity'. From this 'hypothetical singularity', a wave is added to the "unwavedlength" to become a 'wavelength' of what ever frequency fits the science of the early big bang theory. Thus energy.

So I would personally say that all space/time has energy since the BB but when the volume ("unwavedlength") of the Universe was being created, it had no energy.

I posted this for something to do, and I am OK with it being deleted by the moderator.

Hi Allen;

I guess I have to reside in the camp that states that energy has always existed. Which of course implies that expansion/contraction rules the day. If there was a point in the past that the creation of energy occured, I can't rap my small mind around that concept without major modifications to my fundamental beliefs. IMHO, the sum of all energy has always existed and always will.

note: It has to, because I'm to old to scrap my ideas and start all over from scratch.

Thanks for your reply.

John