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What I understand about dark energy is that it is this not yet understood force responsible for the expansion of the universe. I also understand that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate.
Here is where I am confused. After inflation, when the universe was smaller than it is now, dark energy must have had a more negligible effect as the rate of expansion would have been slower. As the universe expands, this force seems to gain influence making the universe expand faster and faster. It seems then that this force is not only becoming stronger but having influence over greater distances which seems like energy from nothing. I know I must be missing something. Knowing me, probably something very simple.
I cannot believe I forgot about gravity... So I guess that would mean the rate of universal expansion would eventually top out or even slow once it is large enough.
Thanks for your answer, dalinian, but I am not sure it escapes the problem. You are proposing that an expanding universe means more empty space which I am fine with. But if this space has a set energy value, more space still means more energy from apparently nothing, doesn't it? I hope you see this and come back to correct me if I am wrong.
Here is where I am confused. After inflation, when the universe was smaller than it is now, dark energy must have had a more negligible effect as the rate of expansion would have been slower. As the universe expands, this force seems to gain influence making the universe expand faster and faster. It seems then that this force is not only becoming stronger but having influence over greater distances which seems like energy from nothing. I know I must be missing something. Knowing me, probably something very simple.
I cannot believe I forgot about gravity... So I guess that would mean the rate of universal expansion would eventually top out or even slow once it is large enough.
Thanks for your answer, dalinian, but I am not sure it escapes the problem. You are proposing that an expanding universe means more empty space which I am fine with. But if this space has a set energy value, more space still means more energy from apparently nothing, doesn't it? I hope you see this and come back to correct me if I am wrong.