Vacuum Energy and the Cosmological Constant Problem
Why is there such a massive discrepancy between the predicted vacuum energy and the observed cosmological constant? How can empty space have energy?
Timothian Model's Short Answer...
Space is not empty, but populated with a medium of subatomic pieces of matter that interact kinetically with each other and larger objects. The medium continually and dynamically oscillates (EM waves), flows (magnetism), bulk flows (gravity waves), and stratifies (gravity). Space is a dynamic medium.
Details
Redefines vacuum and resolves the energy discrepancy:
"Empty" space is filled with the chunk medium at its equilibrium state.
No quantum fluctuations or zero-point energy; chunk medium has a baseline energy state.
Cosmological constant reflects properties of the equilibrium chunk medium.
Observed vacuum energy is low because the chunk medium is close to homogeneous equilibrium.
Large-scale cosmic structures arise from slight deviations from this equilibrium.
Eliminates the need for enormous vacuum energy cancellation or fine-tuning.
Resolves the cosmological constant problem by providing a natural explanation for low observed vacuum energy.
Connects quantum-scale and cosmic-scale phenomena through a single, consistent framework.
Offers a new perspective on dark energy as a property of the chunk medium.
Provides a physical basis for understanding the energy of space without invoking abstract quantum fluctuations.
Related Documents in the Full Timothian Model
The Nature of Space
The Nature of Gravity
The Nature of Magnetism
The Nature of Light and Electromagnetic Waves
The Nature of Existencde