what is dark matter?

Answer 1

In cosmology, dark matter refers to matter particles, of unknown composition, that do not emit or reflect enough electromagnetic radiation (light) to be detected directly, but whose presence may be inferred from gravitational effects on visible matter such as stars and galaxies. Dark matter explains several anomalous astronomical observations, such as anomalies in the rotational speed of galaxies (the galaxy rotation problem). Estimates of the amount of matter present in galaxies, based on gravitational effects, consistently suggest that there is far more matter than is directly observable. The existence of dark matter also resolves a number of seeming inconsistencies in the Big Bang theory, and is crucial for structure formation.

The dark matter component has vastly more mass than the "visible" component of the universe [1]. At present, the density of ordinary baryons and radiation in the universe is estimated to be equivalent to about one hydrogen atom per cubic meter of space. Only about 4% of the total energy density in the universe (as inferred from gravitational effects) can be seen directly. About 22% is thought to be composed of dark matter. The remaining 74% is thought to consist of dark energy, an even stranger component, distributed diffusely in space. [2] Some hard-to-detect baryonic matter (see baryonic dark matter) makes a contribution to dark matter, but constitutes only a small portion [3] [4]. Determining the nature of this missing mass is one of the most important problems in modern cosmology and particle physics. Its urgency is underlined by David B. Cline in a 2003 article in Scientific American, in which he writes: "The terms . . . 'dark matter' and 'dark energy,' serve mainly as expressions of our ignorance", much as the marking of early maps with 'Terra Incognita'.

Answer 2

Dark matter is a matter that doesn't glow, show up and doesn't emit or reflect anything, thinner than gas and lighter than air, this is the space between most astronomical objects, ie, the Earth and moon the dark space is black and dark matter and energy is invisible and undetectable from the eye and also to scanners so that would be black too.
The matter does effect gravity in galaxies and their clusters too.
The effect is like water in a cake this makes cake sludgy doesn't it and lets say instead of a cake we have little tiny pieces of magnetic shards in ball shapes.
The magnetic force keeps it away from other stars so the water flows through and between it and the shards move between it like stars would through dark matter and space.
The water is in a bowl, this resembles the size of the galaxy, in the middle the is a small hole in the base of the bowl, the shards fill the hole up and clot it as in a galaxy stars would clog the black hole and as the hole did it the water would still be able to go through into the black hole, the forces carries stars (the shards) into spiral arms, thus forming a spiral complex, the spiral arms create the form of a spiral galaxy although classed as a problem I see this more like a theory of stuck in the mud.
As the water also acts as the relativity of dark matter, I recall it to enter the relativity theory.
It also effects strike matter like a chain of metal sticks allowing the magnetism to stretch further, imagine the metal sticks as dark matter, this is the same way in relativity dark matter's nature is thought to be, but that's theoretical.
Dark energy is the energy version of dark matter, although we are not sure on it's nature unlike dark matter.
Baryonic matter allows dark matter to make spiral galaxies convert to barred galaxies in the way the baryonic matter moves.

Answer 3

it is the matter that would explain why there is 60% of the matter missing in the universe, in this way an answer has been constructed using dark matter to fulfil the theory of relativity and make it work the way it is now. at the moment there are some studies to find it, but to date no results, only on equations on paper

Answer 4

in MY OWN true words, dark matter is simply matter we cannot touch, see, or detect as its interaction with other matter produces no effect. it is not made of particles or wave. scientist still havent found dark matter but we know it has to exist because there just isnt enough normal matter to keep the universe together or to prevent it expanding at a ridiculous rate. about 96% of matter in the universe is dark matter is this is the only thing that can provide enough gravity to keep the universe together.

Answer 5

Most of the matter in the universe is dark, i.e. cannot be detected from the light, which it emits (or fails to emit). This is "stuff" which cannot be seen directly so what makes us think that it exists at all? Its presence is inferred indirectly from the motions of astronomical objects, specifically stellar, galactic, and galaxy cluster/super cluster observations. It is also required in order to enable gravity to amplify the small fluctuations in the Cosmic Microwave Background enough to form the large-scale structures that we see in the universe today

Answer 6

Cosmology - the study of the beginnings, formation, and evolution of our Universe - is currently in a badly confused state. At the moment, scientists don't know what makes up 99% of the Universe. This, needless to say, is a rather embarrassing situation. Although much of what is visible in the Universe is becoming comprehensible, with great recent strides in understanding star formation, galactic structure, and spectacular events such as supernovae, it would appear that there is another component of the universe - possibly making up most of its mass - which we cannot see, and we do not understand

Answer 7

The opposite of light matter.

Answer 8

Obv I can't compete with the 'dictionary answer' but basically I think it is matter that just absorbs everything, including light.

Answer 9

It's simply matter that can't be seen by telescopes or the naked eye. We know it's there, as we can see it's gravitational influence on things, but it's too small or not illuminated, so we can't see it.

Answer 10

every kilogram of dark matter weighs 10 kilograms!

work that one out