4 ms·
If you ask me, Inflation is far more problematic than the Dark Stuff. Nevertheless, so far it remains the best explanation we have for observed phenomena ¯\_(ツ)
by DrNosferatu 2y ago
If you ask me, Inflation is far more problematic than the Dark Stuff. Nevertheless, so far it remains the best explanation we have for observed phenomena ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
- sesm 2y agoWhat does inflation explain though? It was proposed as an explanation for CMB spectrum. Anything else?
- btouellette 2y agoIt's obviously tied pretty closely to any theory of large scale structure formation too
- DrNosferatu 2y agoRapid expansion of the early Universe. We need to have Inflation in order for the Big Bang to work as a theory. Without it, the Big Bang theory runs into major problems: 1. The Horizon Problem: The cosmic microwave background (CMB) has nearly identical temperature in all directions, suggesting the entire observable universe was once in contact. But without inflation, opposite sides of our universe would never have been able to “communicate” and reach this equilibrium. 2. The Flatness Problem: Our universe is remarkably “flat” (parallel lines stay parallel), which would require impossibly precise initial conditions without inflation. 3. The Origin of Structure: Inflation explains how quantum fluctuations during this expansion became the seeds for galaxies and cosmic structures we see today.
- hwillis 2y agoDefinitely more problematic. And Webb only made it more confusing :( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_constant_problem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological_constant_problem > Depending on the Planck energy cutoff and other factors, the quantum vacuum energy contribution to the effective cosmological constant is calculated to be between 50 and as many as 120 orders of magnitude greater than has actually been observed, a state of affairs described by physicists as "the largest discrepancy between theory and experiment in all of science" and "the worst theoretical prediction in the history of physics".
- dventimi 2y ago"problematic" is a matter of degree, and is relative. Inflation is less problematic than some theories (e.g. "magic"). Are there any alternative theories that are less problematic than inflation, and yet also solve the same problems that inflation solves?
- hwillis 1y agoCosmic inflation is the observation, not the explanation. The expectation is that cosmic inflation should be much, much larger based on what we understand about quantum mechanics: that vacuum is practically boiling with energy, and should be forcing stars away from each other. Instead we observe that it is very small. I was being somewhat tongue in cheek responding to OP, who was not specific about what they find problematic. The vacuum catastrophe is the area in physics where our explanations explain the smallest amount of our observations. We're very confident in our measurements and understanding at both the large and small scale, and there is essentially no explanation that anyone has any confidence in. By comparison, observations of dark energy/matter are practically perfectly accurate. It's a single order of magnitude difference from expected observations. We have some half-decent candidates to explain them. Unlike magic, inflation is not a theory in search of an observation. The fact that we don't see inflation is what is so desperately confusing.
- dventimi 1y agoI don't consider cosmic inflation to be an observation. I consider it theory.