The cosmological constant is introduced in Einstein equations in the form : $G_{\mu\nu} = T_{\mu\nu} + \Lambda g_{\mu\nu}$, as I understand it, shouldn't the term $\Lambda g_{\mu\nu}$ have effects on time and not just space (causing expansion)?
2 Answers
Yes, it will expand spacetime, thus time is also included
The cosmological constant Lambda was introduced by Einstein to counter the attractive gravitational forces and to allow for a stable universe. Nowadays, it's used to explain the measured accelerated expansion of our universe. Both approaches refer to the influence of the cosmological constant to the space-component(s) of the spacetime. The intersting question here is: What influence has the cosmological constant on the time-component of spacetime?
My answer: the space-component and the time-component are somewhat inversly proportional, at least in Schwarzschild metric and some similar metrics. Where space-component is high, time-component is low. Therefore, if space expands faster and faster, time has to slow down more and more in the whole universe. It can of cause only be discussed relatively: let's look at two timepoints:Timepoint T1 and timepoint T2, T2 lays in the future of T1. At T2, the universe expands faster then it does at T1. However, time should run slower at T2 than at T1. Therefore, within a smaller intervall of time, the universe expands faster. That worsens the accelerated expansion.
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