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As space expands the gravitational potential Energy increases. So does the potential energy between Atoms and quarks and so on. I have read several times that these effects are so minuscule that they are negligible. However, it does not seem so to me when considering the large timeframes of the universe. The Hubble constant is about 2.2x10^-18 s^1. 13 billion years are 4x10^17 s . Ignoring the fact that the expansion is not constant over time (though slower in the past nonetheless accelerating) when talking about the origin and future of the universe these numbers are too much in the same ballpark as to being ignored. What am I missing? Thanks in advance

This is too basic of a thought to speculate about its implications on my behalf. But an increase in pot energy and hence increase in mass is somehow desirable concerning dark matter.

Qmechanic
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Interestedbutnotknowing
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1 Answers1

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From a Newtonian perspective, the gravitational potential energy becomes less negative as the Universe expands. However, the kinetic energy of the particles decreases in such a way to cancel this decrease of the negativity of the potential. So overall there is no change to the total mass of the Universe as it expands. Although, I should note that the Newtonian approximation breaks down once one considers length scales which are not much smaller than the Hubble radius which is approximately 14 billion light-years.

Virgo
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