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Terry D asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 1 decade ago

Does the conservation of energy require the "Cosmological Constant or Dark Energy?

The fact that light can travel indefinitely through the universe would violate the conservation of energy unless the universe were expanding. By expanding the universe preserves the the conservation of energy by red shifting the light embedded in it. This red shift is not caused by a Doppler effect or gravity, but by the expansion of the universe. This red shift reduces the frequency of the light and hence it's frequency and energy thus preserving the energy conservation law. Therefore the cosmological constant (dark energy) is necessary to preserve the law of "conservation of energy". Do you agree?

Update:

The point I was trying to make is that the Cosmological constant is made up of dark energy is everywhere in the quantum vacuum of spacetime. It is responsible for the expansion of space. Nothing including light can travel from point A to point B without consuming energy. I believe that if spacetime did not expand, light would be in violation of the law of conservation of energy. By expanding in spacetime light's wavelength increases which decreases the frequency which according to Planck's equation (E=hf) reduces the energy. Therefore the expansion of the universe is required to save the conservation of energy law.

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    both the big bang theory and the red shifting of light are ridicules.in fact, the very first thing we say of light is that it travels at a constant speed regardless of direction. the light from these distance galaxies travels at the same speed. the reduction in frequency is a loss of energy. the cos. constant(CC) is not constant. the back ground noise is the local CC. if the light actually cares about preserving our simple model of space time, i'm not certain. but whatever lies between the stars is there, what we call it will be determined at a later date.

  • goring
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Einstein indicated in his theory of General relativity that the Universe is a "Finite System" . If that is the case then the Universe is a closed conservative system.In summation that means that Mass ,Energy, Time and volume obey the laws of conservation.

    There are some different scenarios that can cause a red shift in the wavelength(displacement oscillations) of light radiation.

    One theory is J. RedBourne's Dispersion Theory. Another theory is that speed of light is not invariant in the Universe.

    And of course Einstein's relativistic Doppler Effect.

    Or Just a non relativistic Doppler Effect..

    A 21st century explanation of the nature of light and its motion is Dr. Paul Marmet Theory of Light .

    The Cosmological constant is really a forced function of the curvature of space describing an inverse area of Space.

    The Einstein Cosmological Constant formulation is a follows;

    L= [8 pi G /C^4 ] x Rho

    L is the cosmological constant expressed as in units of per meter

    squared.

    G is Newton Universal gravitation constant

    Rho is the Energy Density of Space in the containment of the Universe.

    C is the average speed of light as measured relative to the earth as the frame of reference.

    If the Energy Density of space is constant ,then it follows that the Cosmological Constant applies to a conservative system where the Law of Conservation of Energy applies.And the Power that holds Space into a structure is also a Constant.

    It follows that if the Universe is a closed system ,Space does not need to expand. And the observations that indicate the recessions of certain Galaxies and expansion of their radius vector ,does exactly not mean that the containment volume of the Universe is increasing.

    Thus the Physical Universe can be considered as a large Black Hole where Light cannot escape the Event Horizon.

    Light is basically a moving flux of micromass . Light is neither electric or magnetic.

    Energy is a phenomenon which is related to Time. Without time energy would not exist.

    Source(s): Einstein General relativity theory Dr. Paul Marmet J. R. Redbourne Doppler effect me own little brains
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I wouldn't agree with the first sentence. What's wrong with light propagating off to infinity?

    A cosmological constant is allowed by GR, and now recent evidence suggests that it is, in fact, necessary to reconcile our observations with the theory. But I don't see where a conservation of energy argument requires it. In any case, you have to be somewhat careful when talking about conservation of energy and cosmology. Conservation of energy isn't something you can assume a priori.

  • 1 decade ago

    No. The lossless propagation of a photon (a quantum of electromagnetic energy) violates no known physical laws, and it doesn't require an expanding universe or a cosmological constant.

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