Warp wrote:
> Darren New <dne### [at] sanrrcom> wrote:
>> Seriously, I think they think it has something to do with zero-point energy, 
>> i.e., the fact that virtual particles will spontaneously come into existence 
>> and then annihilate each other again.  I can't really say I understand it 
>> beyond "it's something about quantum" (as Terry Pratchett would say)
> 
>   Even if that explains the current expansions, would it explain the
> initial rapid inflation?

I don't think so, no. Certainly not if the whole quantum mess didn't even 
start until after inflation. (I hadn't realized that "inflation" actually 
happened that early and quickly until this conversation.)

>   Seemingly not, as there appears to be a hypothesis for a different particle
> that caused the cosmic inflation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflaton

Damn. Inflation ended when the universe was only one meter across? Yow.

> How can it cause the universe to expand faster than c?

Only if the actual energy turned into space, or something? I have nothing 
buy BS guesses for that. :-)

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   Serving Suggestion:
     "Don't serve this any more. It's awful."

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