“Issues” - Unresolved Issues

Unifying Dark Matter, Dark Energy and Gravity

The basic dilemma. The general problem in physics is the lack of a theory that unites relativity and quantum mechanics. Each describes different phenomena accurately but at different scales. Furthermore, while the predictions are accurate, many of the ideas are counterintuitive.

Science and knowledge in general need unifying frameworks.

In this section, I explore some of these compelling unresolved issues in physics. The subtopics below are

 A. Gravity on a Planetary Scale,

B. Gravity on a Galactic Scale,

C. Gravitational Time Dilation,

D. Dark Energy,

E. Stars (the Sun & Black Holes) and

F. Inertia – Is there an Explanation.

A. Gravity at a Planetary Scale

Why is gravity such a weak force, where a magnet can overpower the earth?

Being such a weak force, is it possible that it is not fundamental at all, but derived?

Why does the theory of alternative universes, which can’t be supported by empirical evidence but only by math, need to be invoked to explain gravity? Are we missing something?

If space is a pure void, which is certainly doubtful, what curves? If, on the other hand, it is filled with quantum fields and virtual particles, the question is again, what exactly curves? And what is the causal mechanism in gravity that causes this curvature?

If gravity is a curvature of space, it might explain why objects follow a curved path, but not why objects at rest begin to move. Instead, one must resort to nonintuitive arguments like the shortest path through four dimensional spacetime.

Yet space and time are different, since time only moves one way and one can move in any direction in each of the three dimensions of space.

Current areas of research studied by brilliant physicists, such as string theory, loop quantum gravity and entropic gravity treat space differently.

Although light does curve near the Sun, what is the advantage as an explanation of curved spacetime vs. simple refraction, where the portion of a light beam nearest the Sun slows down the most?

Curved spacetime does solve the problem of “action at a distance” but are there other means of combining local and distant action?

B. Gravity at a Galactic Scale – “Dark Matter”

Stars orbit the Milky Way faster than would be indicated by the standard formula for gravity. “Dark matter” was conceptualized because the traditional understanding of gravity didn’t work on cosmic scales and was needed to supply the extra gravity. However, is it more reasonable to rethink our understanding of gravity at galactic scales, rather than hypothesize invisible dark matter?

If dark matter, according to current estimates, is 27% of the universe, it is more than five times the 5% percentage of the normal matter. Given that it is invisible, and must be placed individually to make the gravity numbers come out right, is that reasonable? Dark matter seems to be a “plug factor” that adjusts gravity equations that don’t work. To paraphrase one skeptical comment:  “How much dark matter do you want and where do you want it?”

I have heard the concept referred to as embarrassing, given the number of decades devoted to the mystery - how many decades are enough?

C. Gravitational Time Dilation

Is there a reasonably simple explanation for why clocks run slower near the earth than on satellites and must be adjusted to make GPS work accurately?

Gravitational time dilation is an established fact, as it is used for GPS, although engineers use a simpler formula than specified by relativity (Time dilation of motion is a separate topic of special relativity, and not part of these essays.)

D. Dark Energy

Dark energy is presumed to comprise 68% of the universe and is responsible for cosmic expansion... What is its origin? We don’t know – it’s just a term that is acknowledged to reflect our ignorance. It is stated that dark energy is created continuously – does this make sense?

And how do we account for areas of the universe that are teeming with galaxies and other areas that are voids?

E. Stars – The Sun and Black Holes

The Sun. It is acknowledged that, since the Sun’s gravity takes, in round numbers, eight minutes to reach us, it is reasonable to ask why this delay would not result in the Earth gradually being flung into space, because the force is not at right angles. It is like a quarterback in football throwing a pass to a runner but not allowing for his forward motion.

Since this doesn’t happen, it is argued that relativity gives an explanation. Is there a simpler one?

Einstein famously predicted that light would bend near the Sun. Is there an alternative explanation?

Black Holes. Physics holds that the black hole can shrink to an infinity small size, whatever that means. Is that reasonable?

F. Inertia

Inertia is partially related to the other discussions. Is there a simple explanation that is complementary to our current one?