General, Research, Technology

New theory may explain the main paradox of the universe

British theoretical physicists have developed a theorywhich can solve one of the biggest mysteries in the Universe: why the expansion rate of our universe is accelerating rather than slowing down, as the laws of physics predict for us. According to an article published on futurism.com, the hypothesis of “massive gravity” can modify Einstein's general theory of relativity, while also explaining the inequality of the expansion rates of the Universe.

Despite the fact that the laws of physics indicate a slowdown in the expansion of the Universe, in reality, everything happens exactly the opposite

Why is the universe expanding?

Currently the main explanation for howit was our universe that appeared, the hypothesis of the Big Bang is considered, as a result of which all the particles we know, which make up not only the space surrounding us, but ourselves, flew out from one single point, thereby giving rise to the familiar Universe. According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, the gravitational forces of all objects of our universe should gradually attract the Universe, slowing down the speed of its expansion.

See also: How fast is the Universe expanding?

However, back in 1998, scientists realized thatthe speed of expansion of the Universe not only does not slow down, but even accelerates. Due to the fact that the researchers had no idea about the processes that provoke such behavior of the universe, it was decided to introduce the concept of dark energy, which could at least somehow explain the problem of the expansion of the Universe. Despite the fact that modern physics requires the existence of this type of energy, it is not possible to prove its reality. So, even if it exists, energy should radically differ from all other matter in the Universe, due to its antigravity properties, as well as negative pressure. For a long time, it was believed that the well-known vacuum can claim the title of dark energy, but so far there have not been enough experiments to confirm such an unusual hypothesis.

The slow expansion of the universe can also be explained without the participation of dark energy.

A new idea called the massive theoryde Rama’s gravity eliminates the need for dark energy in the universe, introducing changes to Einstein’s general theory of relativity. So, instead of the massless gravitons from the theory of relativity responsible for gravity, the new theory assumes the presence of another type of hypothetical particles in the Universe, but with the presence of a certain mass. In other words, gravity in the new physical model can fulfill the role currently attributed to that very dark energy.

By the way, you can find more useful information about dark energy and other riddles of modern physics in our channels on Yandex.Zen and Telegram.

Researchers hope achievements in the fieldgravitational wave astronomy will verify predictions about the theory of massive gravity over the next decade. This historical moment can not only give mankind an opportunity for a better understanding of the fundamental issues of the Universe, but also reveal the secret to the reality of the existence of dark matter and energy, which for a long time haunted researchers of the 20th and 21st centuries.