Scientists at the University of British Columbia have proposed a radical new theory to explain the exponentially increasing size of the universe. Ultimately, it seeks to reconcile two different concepts in physics: Quantum Mechanics and Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. the researchers argue that instead of dark energy causing the universe’s growth, it could be explained by constant quantum fluctuations of vacuum energy.
In their work, the researchers argue that, instead of dark energy causing the universe’s growth, it could be explained by constant quantum fluctuations of vacuum energy. The paper claims — if their findings are true — that “the old cosmological constant problem would be resolved.” The press release notes the potentially transformative nature of the work: “Their calculations provide a completely different physical picture of the universe.”
Similarly, Bill Unruh, the physics and astronomy professor who supervised P.H.D student Qingdi Wang’s work, stated that the research offers an entirely new take on old problems: “This is a new idea in a field where there hasn’t been a lot of new ideas that try to address this issue.” In the end, their calculations provide a fundamentally different picture of the universe: one in which space-time is “constantly moving,” fluctuating between contraction and expansion. It’s the small net effect towards expansion, though, that drives the expansion of the universe.
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