Energy from a vacuum
2007-09-16 19:21:05 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The quantum fields in a vacuum are not identically zero. Virtual particles zip in and out of existance all the time. The effect of these vacuum fluctuations can be measured--the first example of this was the Casimir effect by which two conducting plates close together attract one another because of the way they disturb the vacuum fields. Vacuum fluctuations are also the reason we need to renormalize the coupling constants and charges in quantum field theory. They may have something to do with the dark matter or cosmological constant that appears to be holding the universe together.
ERNST: You're sort of right, but mostly wrong. It is just speculation that vacuum fluctuations solve the problems with cosmology. But the fact that they exist is both theoretically necessary and well-demonstrated (eg the Casimir effect, running coupling constants)
2007-09-16 19:27:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
An astronomical term maybe?
Vacuum energy is an underlying background energy that exists in space even when devoid of matter (known as free space). The vacuum energy results in the existence of most (if not all) of the fundamental forces - and thus in all effects involving these forces, too. It is
2007-09-17 02:29:17 · answer #2 · answered by Sam C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a model and and an unproven theory that should help to explain the theory of Big Bang. There is NO energy from vacuum. It is not fitting into any law of physics - not into the theory of relativity and not into quantum physics. It is a model to make more feasible that the Big Bang could happen and get all the required energy from somewhere. It's a dream or a philosophy - it's definitely not physical science.
2007-09-17 03:01:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ernst S 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It could be from pressure differential or it could be radiant energy travelling through the vacuum.
Then there are all of the little 'quantum events' that take place in free space.
Doug
2007-09-17 02:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋