Space-time is physical information. Is distance information the ‘dark matter’ we are searching for?
In terms of relation physics, a ‘vacuum’ is not empty. Both the space between elementary particles and the space between stars and planets are filled with information. We can call this space, but also time. When traveling from Earth to the moon, we have to bridge both space and time.
Distance information, like all information, is physical. In Part 1 we discussed that, for example, 1 bit of information is 1 kBTln2 of energy; about 3×10-21 joule. And it likely has mass, albeit extremely small mass similar to neutrinos and gluons. However, there is an extremely large quantity of it, and thus, it does contribute significantly.
It has been calculated that about 85% of the mass in the universe cannot be identified as the familiar baryonic mass. This unidentified mass is referred to as ‘dark matter’. Thinking in terms of information and relations rather than particles, makes information representing distances recognizable. In terms of particle physics, one should describe space-time or distance as a particle. However, The Standard Model of Particle Physics does not include a spacetime particle or distance particle. Hence, ‘dark matter’ is invisible in that context.
Dark energy
Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy in the universe that is believed to be responsible for the acceleration of the expansion of the universe. Dark energy is everywhere and evenly distributed throughout the cosmos. It behaves as if it exerts a negative gravitational force.
What we are talking about?
5% of all energy in the universe is captured in the form of baryonic matter.
26% corresponds to energy in the form of dark matter.
<1% is miscellaneous (neutrinos and photons).
68% remains as dark energy.
A common explanation for dark energy is zero-point energy, the energy of the ground state of a quantum mechanical system. It is a consequence of Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, which dictates that the momentum and position of a particle cannot be simultaneously precisely determined. The uncertainty principle also states that energy can never be 0:
In contrast to classical physics, a quantum system continuously fluctuates at its lowest energy level. Even at absolute zero, there is an energy level.
Zero-point energy in vacuum and the Casimir effect
A special case is the zero-point energy in ‘vacuum’. In this scenario, there is no baryonic matter in which energy is bound. Yet, even then, there is zero-point energy. It has been predicted and later proven through the so-called Casimir effect. This demonstrates that in a vacuum, virtual particles, namely combinations of a particle with its antiparticle, emerge. The Casimir effect occurs when two electrically neutral charged metal plates are placed in a vacuum at a very small distance from each other. Due to the extremely small distance between the plates, only virtual particles with a specific wavelength fit. This leads to the creation of a smaller number of virtual particles between the plates compared to outside them, resulting in a force that causes the plates to move towards each other. This effect can only be explained by zero-point energy in a vacuum.
Zero-point energy as the sum of all potential changes
In terms of relation physics, zero-point energy is the probability of redistributing information in a particular direction (+ or -). Because everything in the universe is interconnected, opposing directions on a macro scale are not possible. The universe as a whole pushes developments in one direction. This tendency or pressure from the universe is (potential) energy, or rather, the probability of change. Don’t try to see it as a constant ‘spinning’ of everything, nor as a force, but rather the probability of moving in a certain direction simply because there are more options in that direction.
Neutral information
Imagine the universe has reached the end of its development, as all baryonic matter has transformed from complexity to increasing simplicity. Eventually, only neutral information remains. Consequently, there is no dark matter anymore, as distance information is entanglement between more complex structures, which no longer exist. Thus, there is no baryonic matter, no photons or neutrinos, and no dark matter. Only neutral information persists. Could this be ‘dark energy’? It’s essential to note that neutral information is also a probability distribution with ongoing activity. The animation of the spherical sine wave might aid in understanding. If Darth Vader were to add a photon, a planet, or an entire galaxy to this ’empty’ universe, neutral information would promptly respond.