Forum:Zero-point energy (vacuum energy) versus dark energy

Zero-point energy (vacuum energy) versus dark energy
A point of contention here is whether zero-point energy and dark energy are related - while both of them are undetectable energies that permeate all of space, it must be understood that zero-point energy is in essence 'borrowed' from quantum fluctuations - as the energy used to create virtual particles and antiparticles must return to being energy at the lowest possible level - the 'zero point' - it cannot affect traditional matter and space as such. However, it can be possible that gravity's influence at the Planck scale of matter allows zero-point energy to in fact alter the speed of the universe's expansion.

Now that that nit-picky point is done with, it's entirely possible that the Combine does alter the physical laws of a space within its reactor, creating a sphere of volatile space-time (or simply a localized region which is in essence a part of another universe, one that has copious amounts of dark energy), and then utilizing the procedures as follows to create exotic particles. The increasing of quantum fluctuations in a local area could also be a result of changing physical law.

As for anti-mass condensation, that would assume that one would be creating particles of antimatter from negative energy, which makes sense if we include antiparticles under the heading of 'exotic'.

And finally, if Zero-point energy is borrowed and cannot be used, then how does the Gravity Gun work?

Answer: Gameplay necessity.

Agent1022 08:07, November 14, 2010 (UTC)