I don't think there is as yet an answer to your question. Until dark matter particles are detected and understood, their percentage of the universe's matter will not be understood. Because dark matter and dark energy both begin with the word 'dark', one cannot assume that they are related. Remember, dark matter exerts a gravitational attraction on clusters and galaxies etc.. Dark energy exerts a repulsive expansion on the fabric of space itself. Some physicists theorize that there is a close connection between the two and that dark energy may even transform into dark matter. Other physicists see the two unknown types of matter and energy as entirely separate.
I think it ended after Fritz Zwicky probably because it later became clear that this missing matter didn't interact with light. Hence, it was not only missing but dark as well. Thus dark matter was a more accurate name.
Actually, it wasn't the earth's acceleration that was occurring. Nor was it the expansion of the Milky Way which is not occurring. Instead it was the expansion of the space between larger 'gravitationally unbound' objects such as clusters and galaxies. In general, since there was no knowledge of the universes expansion and dark energy at that time, it was assumed that space was simply empty and hence non-interactive. The assumption was that gravity (being the only long range force) would eventually pull these objects back together. That's why the measurements of an expanding universe and eventually an accelerating universe were so supprising.
The short answer to your question is that we don't know if dark matter and dark energy are manifestations of the same dark "thing". We know they both must exist to explain certain phenomena, but we still know very little about their make up so we cannot assume they are linked. For now, we think of them as separate.
An interesting question. The short answer is that no one really knows. It could happen at any time at the current facility called the SOUDAN Lab or it may require more sensitive detectors that are better shielded by being placed so far underground in the new SNOLAB in Sudbury, Canada. It will be two years before this facility comes online. Or worse, they may not be found in either of these labs. Remember, WIMPS are theoretical particles and there is no guarantee that they even exist. :(
Why is there a larger amount of dark energy than dark matter? What does that do?
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is as yet an answer to your question. Until dark matter particles are detected and understood, their percentage of the universe's matter will not be understood. Because dark matter and dark energy both begin with the word 'dark', one cannot assume that they are related. Remember, dark matter exerts a gravitational attraction on clusters and galaxies etc.. Dark energy exerts a repulsive expansion on the fabric of space itself. Some physicists theorize that there is a close connection between the two and that dark energy may even transform into dark matter. Other physicists see the two unknown types of matter and energy as entirely separate.
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ReplyDeleteDoes dark matter still get referred to as missing matter?
ReplyDeleteI think it ended after Fritz Zwicky probably because it later became clear that this missing matter didn't interact with light. Hence, it was not only missing but dark as well. Thus dark matter was a more accurate name.
Deletewhy were scientists expecting a slow down when measuring the earths acceleration?
ReplyDeleteActually, it wasn't the earth's acceleration that was occurring. Nor was it the expansion of the Milky Way which is not occurring. Instead it was the expansion of the space between larger 'gravitationally unbound' objects such as clusters and galaxies. In general, since there was no knowledge of the universes expansion and dark energy at that time, it was assumed that space was simply empty and hence non-interactive. The assumption was that gravity (being the only long range force) would eventually pull these objects back together. That's why the measurements of an expanding universe and eventually an accelerating universe were so supprising.
DeleteWhat is the difference between dark matter and dark energy?
ReplyDeletePlease see my answers above. I think I covered there.
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ReplyDeleteDark energy repels, dark matter attracts. while they may be related, their effects are quite different.
ReplyDeleteThe short answer to your question is that we don't know if dark matter and dark energy are manifestations of the same dark "thing". We know they both must exist to explain certain phenomena, but we still know very little about their make up so we cannot assume they are linked. For now, we think of them as separate.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletedo astronomers believe they will soon find out what exactly dark matter really is?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting question. The short answer is that no one really knows. It could happen at any time at the current facility called the SOUDAN Lab or it may require more sensitive detectors that are better shielded by being placed so far underground in the new SNOLAB in Sudbury, Canada. It will be two years before this facility comes online. Or worse, they may not be found in either of these labs. Remember, WIMPS are theoretical particles and there is no guarantee that they even exist. :(
Delete