The Friedman equation.
structure of the universe.
Alexander Friedman.
1888-1925.
It is a fundamental equation in cosmology that relates the expansion rate of the universe to its energy content. It was derived by physicist Alexander Friedman and is a key component of the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) metric, which describes the large-scale structure of the universe.
The Friedman equation can be written as follows:
H^2 = (8πG/3)ρ - k/a^2
Let's break down the terms in the equation:
H represents the Hubble parameter, which describes the rate at which the universe is expanding at a given time. It is related to the expansion rate by H = (da/dt)/a, where 'a' is the scale factor that characterizes the size of the universe at a given time.
G is the gravitational constant, which appears in the equation due to the influence of gravity on the expansion of the universe.
ρ denotes the energy density of matter and radiation present in the universe. It includes contributions from ordinary matter, dark matter, and radiation.
k represents the curvature of space and can take three possible values: k = 1 for positive curvature (a closed universe), k = 0 for zero curvature (a flat universe), and k = -1 for negative curvature (an open universe).
a is the scale factor, which determines the relative size of the universe at a given time. It is a measure of how the distances between objects in the universe change as the universe expands.
Now, let's consider a couple of examples to illustrate the Friedman equation:
Flat Universe with Matter Dominance:
In a universe with zero curvature (k = 0) and when matter dominates the energy content, the Friedman equation simplifies to:
H^2 = (8πG/3)ρm
Here, ρm represents the energy density of matter. This equation tells us that the expansion rate of the universe (H) depends on the matter density. If the matter density is high, the expansion rate will be lower, and if the matter density is low, the expansion rate will be higher.
Closed Universe with Dark Energy Dominance:
In a universe with positive curvature (k = 1) and when dark energy dominates the energy content, the Friedman equation simplifies to:
H^2 = (8πG/3)ρΛ - 1/a^2
Here, ρΛ represents the energy density of dark energy. The second term in the equation (1/a^2) accounts for the curvature of space. This equation shows that in the presence of dark energy, which has a negative pressure, the expansion of the universe can accelerate. The curvature term influences the overall dynamics of the expansion.
These examples demonstrate how the Friedman equation relates the expansion rate of the universe to its energy content, including different forms of matter and energy, as well as the curvature of space. By studying the dynamics of the Friedman equation, cosmologists can gain insights into the past, present, and future behavior of the universe.
