If dark energy is not energy in
the traditional sense, does that
decrease the possibility of the Big
Freeze (theory concerning fate of
universe, in which the universe
reaches maximum entropy and
all matter and energy is
converted into dispersed thermal
energy) , if vacuum energy
cannot be converted into
traditional matter?
Well, there are alternative theories suggesting dark
energy may go through a transition in the far
future, even turning into matter, which may change
the geometry of the universe. It would have an
attractive rather than a repulsive quality.
In the world of particle physics, there are transition
of one particle to another so it may be possible.
But there needs to be a gateway between the two
forms, and we really don’t know where to look.
I think the best place to start would be figuring out
if dark energy is really constant, that there really
needs to be a constant energy density. Is the dark
energy different between high red shift and low
red shift? That’s what high quality telescopes will
help us discover.
Does dark energy suggest any
other different fates of the
universe?
The Big Rip is a theory of the fate of the universe
supported by dark energy, wherein the everything
is ultimately torn apart by the expansion the
universe. Dark energy could turn into a form of
energy capable of ripping matter apart, known as
phantom energy. That doesn’t sound pleasant,
but it is as possible as any theory. The only thing
is that the universe has been around for such a
long time so why has it not already happened?
This is leading us into a philosophical rabbit hole,
and one might even say it has occurred already in
another universe but not ours just yet; which
leads us into multiverse territory.
Back to the telescopes you
mentioned, what’s your opinion
on the direction technology
might take us, in regard to dark
matter?
Higher red shift allows us to see further and
further back in time, and with a better timeline,
we can more easily see differences and how the
universe evolved, and dark energy along with it.
Could it be the avenue of going
further back won’t be enough?
It’s always important to look to the universe close
around us, and I started the talk by talking about
how galaxies are spinning faster than they should,
and that is still the biggest piece of evidence for
dark energy.
The other way we could do is measure the
rotational speed of galaxies ever more accurately
so we could really try nail down if there is any
other reason for it than the existence of dark
energy
However, looking nearby won’t help that much
with finding out about dark energy, because the
effects of dark energy only kick in on the big
scale; it doesn’t have much effect on the solar
system, of galaxies, or even on nearby clusters.
I think we have no time to ask any more
questions but thank you so much!!